Montanez gets first New York win in 2 1/2 years
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Rosario Montanez’s victory on Going Strong in Aqueduct’s fifth race on Wednesday was a meaningful one, as it was his first in New York in nearly 2 1/2 years.
Montanez was sidelined for 18 months because of injuries suffered in a spill on July 19, 2014, at Saratoga. Montanez needed 18 operations to repair injuries to his eye socket, cheek bone, nose, and forehead. He returned to race riding on March 1 at Parx and had ridden 17 winners among Parx, Laurel, Penn National, Meadowlands, and Suffolk Downs before Wednesday.
“I never thought I would make it back,” Montanez said Thursday. “It took me a year and two months to realize I could come back. It felt great to be back in the winner’s circle here. I feel like I’m a better rider, more mature, than before when I was here.”
Montanez plans to ride in New York during the winter meet. He will be represented by agent Mike Monroe.