Stevens picking up pace on knee rehab

DEL MAR, Calif. – Less than a month after undergoing knee-replacement surgery, Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens was a morning visitor to Del Mar on Tuesday and said his rehabilitation was going a bit better than expected.

“I think it’s going to be quicker than everybody thought,” Stevens said.

When he first had the surgery, Stevens said he hoped to be back riding by January if his knee cooperated. But that decision is still several months away.

Stevens said he is “moving good.” He said he found it odd, and reassuring, to look down and see his knee aligned with his thigh and shin, as opposed to being swollen and misaligned, as it had been before the surgery.

Stevens said the pace of his rehab was increasing this week.

“I’m getting on an elliptical machine and a stationary bike,” he said.