Injured Blanc hopes to return in time for John Mabee Stakes
Jockey Brice Blanc remains sidelined after being injured in a spill on the turf at Del Mar on July 25.
Blanc was aboard Yes She’s Unusual when the filly broke down badly in a sprint race. Blanc was released from the hospital several hours after the incident, but has not ridden since. He is not booked to ride through Friday.
Blanc could return next weekend to ride Miss Serendipity in Sunday’s $250,000 John Mabee Stakes on turf, but no official timetable has been set for his return, according to his agent, Susan McBrayer.
“He says he’s getting better,” she said. “The main issue is the shoulder. Once he starts working horses, I’ll know more.”
Orozco fined $1,000 for failure to show up
Jockey Irving Orozco has been fined $1,000 for failing to ride at Los Alamitos on July 11 and 12 and at Del Mar on July 30, according to a ruling released by Del Mar stewards Scott Chaney, Luis Jauregui, and Kim Sawyer.
Orozco, 20, was taken from Los Alamitos by a bounty hunter on July 11 because of an outstanding bench warrant for his arrest for failure to appear at court hearing related to a charge of driving under the influence earlier this year, stewards said.
As part of the court’s ruling, Orozco was ordered to complete seven days of community service and has had his driver’s license suspended, stewards said.
According to stewards, Orozco missed his mounts on July 30 because he was unable to find transportation from the Los Angeles area to Del Mar for the races.
Orozco has 109 wins in his career, including 37 in 2012 and 46 in 2013. He is behind that pace this year, with 16 wins through Sunday.
Orozco has one mount on Thursday, a horse on the also-eligible list.