Pedroza targeting June return to saddle

ARCADIA, Calif. – Jockey Martin Pedroza, who has been out since early February after suffering a shin injury, is targeting a mid-June comeback, according to his agent, Richie Silverstein.

Pedroza suffered a fracture in his left shin here on Feb. 7 when he was unseated from his mount. Silverstein said that Pedroza opted not to go undergo surgery to avoid the inconvenience of having a stabilizing rod inserted in the leg and then having to miss further time to have the rod removed.

Pedroza is currently on vacation in his native Panama, visiting family. Silverstein said that Pedroza will seek doctor’s clearance on May 19 to resume a physical fitness routine. After a week of swimming, Pedroza is hoping to begin working horses around June 1.

“Hopefully, we can start taking calls on June 10,” Silverstein said.

Silverstein said that Pedroza had a hard cast removed and is currently using a soft cast. The recovery time is about what was expected, Silverstein said

“The doctors said it would be three to six months,” he said.

Pedroza, 48, was tied for sixth in the jockey standings at the time of his accident.