Nakatani continues physical therapy

ARCADIA, Calif. – Jockey Corey Nakatani has not placed a timeline on when he can come back from injuries suffered in a spill at Del Mar on Aug. 4.

Nakatani, a visitor to morning workouts at Santa Anita on Friday, said he is undergoing physical therapy and will seek advice from doctors on a return to riding.

In late September, Nakatani underwent surgery on his back and neck.

“I’ll keep doing therapy and see where it goes,” he said. “When I’m ready, I’ll come back. You can’t put a timeline on a broken neck. Hopefully, I’ll make it back.”

Nakatani, 48, said his return was delayed slightly because of an infection detected after the initial surgery. The injury occurred in a two-horse spill on turf when his mount clipped heels with a horse in front of him.

A former leading rider in Southern California, Nakatani has won more than 3,900 races in his career, which began in 1988.

Big Scott Daddy impresses

Big Scott Daddy won his debut in a maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs Wednesday, leaving trainer Mike Puype impressed –– and looking forward to running him over the winter.

“He did everything right,” Puype said Friday morning. “He should do better with distance.”

Ridden by Mike Smith, Big Scott Daddy (8-1) closed from fourth in a field of 11 to win by a half-length over Ka’nah.

Puype said options for Big Scott Daddy include an allowance race at a mile in late January or the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 2.

By Scat Daddy, Big Scott Daddy is owned by Paymaster Racing and Slugo Racing and was purchased for $140,000 as a yearling.

◗ There is racing at Santa Anita on Monday and Tuesday before a two-day break on Wednesday and Thursday. The track will operate Friday through Sunday on the first week of 2019.