Jockey Florent Geroux tests positive for coronavirus

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Florent Geroux, who most recently rode at Keeneland in Lexington, Belmont Park in New York, and Indiana Grand in Shelbyville, Ind., has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the top rider said in a social-media post Tuesday morning.

Geroux becomes the sixth rider in the last week to learn that he has tested positive for the virus. Geroux rode at Keeneland and was isolated there with other riders who had recently ridden at Indiana Grand, one of whom also tested positive.

“I’m currently feeling well, quarantined, and looking forward to rejoining the racetrack when I’m cleared,” Geroux wrote. “Thank you everyone for the well wishes.”

Geroux rode at Keeneland on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, and rode at Belmont Park on Saturday. On Wednesday, he rode at Indiana Grand, along with Luis Saez, who tested positive last Friday as the result of a test administered at Keeneland.

Keeneland had four separate isolation areas for jockeys, depending on where the riders last rode. One of those areas was for riders who had ridden at Indiana Grand last Wednesday, the day that the track held its Indiana Derby.

Other riders who have recently tested positive are Martin Garcia, Victor Espinoza, Flavien Prat, and Eduard Rojas Fernandez. With the exception of Geroux, all the others rode at Los Alamitos on either July 3 or July 4.

Geroux has 75 wins this year from 412 mounts, with purse earnings of $5.7 million.

This week, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Southern California is requiring tests of all riders and employees connected to the riders before racing resumes Friday. The results of those tests are being anxiously awaited within the jockey community.