Mena set to return to riding Thursday

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Miguel Mena will make his long-awaited return to the saddle when riding Wildwood Dancer in the first race Thursday at Keeneland.

Mena, who will turn 32 on Nov. 6, suffered fractures of his right ankle and heel in a March 15 race spill at Fair Grounds, where he had been leading rider at the time. He has undergone an arduous rehabilitation process and has been exercising horses at Churchill for several weeks.

Mena intends to ride sparingly over the next couple of weeks before leaving early for Fair Grounds, which starts Nov. 15.

“Gentleman Al” on scene

The trainer known as “Gentleman Al” Cates ventured here last week ahead of saddling his first-ever starters at Keeneland, and he scarcely could have been more impressed.

“It’s a great atmosphere here,” said Cates, who will run a pair of first-time-starting 2-year-olds, Souixper Charger (sixth race Thursday) and She’s a Truckin (fourth race Friday). “We’re all very excited, especially my crew.”

Cates, 64, began training in 2005, shortly after retiring in Arkansas following a 30-year career as a technician and engineer for AT&T. A lifelong racing fan, he began building a stable that now has won 173 races while rarely venturing outside of Louisiana and Arkansas. In the meantime, he earned his nickname for his gracious, positive, and articulate demeanor.

“Combined with the sales being held at Fasig-Tipton [Monday through Thursday], we’re hoping to make this a regular visit every October,” Cates said.