Jockey Valdivia begins comeback Thursday

DEL MAR, Calif. – Veteran jockey Jose Valdivia Jr., who won the 2011 Belmont Stakes aboard Ruler On Ice, will resume riding at Del Mar on Thursday for the first time since late November.

Valdivia underwent two shoulder surgeries earlier this year to improve mobility, he said in a late March interview. At the time, Valdivia said he hoped to resume riding in late spring after undergoing a regiment of post-operation physical therapy.

The 51-year-old rider is booked to ride Cagey Burglar for trainer Ryan Bratcher in Thursday’s seventh race and Refocus for trainer Peter Miller in Sunday’s fifth race.

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Valdivia had 5 wins from 71 mounts last year.

Valdivia was a top rider in Southern California in the early 2000s before relocating to the Midwest where he was the leading rider at Arlington Park for five consecutive seasons from 2015 through 2019. Valdivia returned to Southern California in the final months of 2019.

Valdivia rode Val Royal to a win in the 2001 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Belmont Park.

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