Jockey Civaci returns to New York

Jockey Sahin Civaci, Canada’s 2024 Sovereign Award-winning rider, will begin riding in New York full-time beginning this week, according to Mike Sellitto, who will serve as his agent.

Civaci, currently third in the Woodbine standings with 89 wins, is named on one mount Friday and five on Saturday at Aqueduct.

The jockey rode in New York last winter with mixed results. While he won 15 races from Jan. 1 through Feb. 6 at Aqueduct, Civaci injured his back in a gate incident on Feb. 6 and was sidelined for 11 weeks before he resumed riding at Woodbine. Twice during his stint in New York, Civaci was sanctioned by stewards for “failing to put forth his best effort,” which cost his horses placings in two races.

Civaci has had recent success at Woodbine for New York trainers, riding Breath Away to victory in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly Stakes for Miguel Clement and Cy Fair to victory in the Algonquin Stakes for George Weaver. Civaci also finished second on the Clement-trained Tawny Port in the Grade 1 Canadian International.

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