Luzzi returns to saddle Wednesday

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Mike Luzzi, out of action for 10 months after breaking his leg and pelvis in a paddock accident at Aqueduct on Nov. 2, returns to the saddle Wednesday when he rides Artie Crasher in the eighth race, a $50,000 claimer.

Luzzi is also named on the first-time starter O K by Me in Thursday’s fifth race.

“I’m happy – glad somebody gave me a shot,” Luzzi said Monday. “I wanted to ride a couple of live ones first.”

Luzzi hopes those two horses run as well as two horses he recently worked in the mornings. Luzzi was aboard Jess’s Dream and Keen Ice for those two colts’ last works before their most recent starts. Jess’s Dream won a maiden race, and Keen Ice beat American Pharoah in Saturday’s Travers.

Regarding Keen Ice, Luzzi said, “The day after he worked and before I knew American Pharoah was coming, I told the people that owned him to make sure they wear something nice to the races.”