Return uncertain for injured jockey Fernando Perez

ARCADIA, Calif. – Jockey Fernando Perez, who has not ridden since December 2016, continues to face health problems related to a concussion and bleeding on the brain from an injury sustained in a workout, leaving doubt as to whether he can return to riding.

Perez, a visitor to Santa Anita during training hours last weekend, said he remains on medication and that doctors have expressed concern about potential seizures. He said he has suffered occasional short-term memory loss.

“The doctor said to take it easy,” Perez said.

Perez has been sidelined since his mount lunged forward with such ferocity during a morning workout at Del Mar that he sustained a concussion. In the moments after the workout, Perez experienced numbness in an arm and dizziness.

Perez was hospitalized for four days after the incident to undergo tests. He was advised at the time that he had suffered too many concussions in his career.

Perez, 31, won his first race in December 2006 in Mexico City and was a leading rider at Hastings Park in British Columbia before moving to Southern California in the fall of 2013. Perez, who missed a month of riding in the winter of 2013-14 after breaking a collarbone, was among the top 10 riders at Del Mar and Santa Anita in 2016.

Last Sunday, Perez sat with friends at a table at Clocker’s Corner and was greeted by numerous well-wishers.

“I came out to see everybody,” he said. “I appreciate all the people that say hello to me.”