Larry Jones still on road to recovery

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Larry Jones had a big weekend, winning two graded stakes, including the Amsterdam here Saturday with Coup de Grace, and sending out Albano to finish second in the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth. But Jones, who suffered two broken ribs, a bruised lung, and a serious head injury in a training mishap at Delaware Park on April 19, was not in attendance at either Saratoga or Monmouth to see his horses run.

Jones has resumed galloping horses on a limited basis and said he has recently begun hauling horses “short distances,” but he is still a long way from making a full recovery from the accident.

“I’m okay during training hours, but I still can’t travel a lot,” said Jones. “I get really tired riding in a car, and being in crowds causes my head to hurt. I even had a horse I own running at Delaware Park on Saturday and didn’t go out to watch him race. But I am blessed I have such a good crew. They’ve really stepped up to the plate since my injury, so I really don’t have to show up.”

Jones said he is planning to send Coup de Grace back to Saratoga for the Grade 1 King’s Bishop in four weeks and would love to be able to attend the race.

“I’m hopeful I’ll feel up to riding in a car by then,” said Jones. “I just can’t do it now.”