Van Dyke set to resume riding after self-imposed hiatus

Jockey Drayden Van Dyke returns to riding after a self-imposed hiatus for the first time in three months at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Van Dyke has two mounts on the nine-race program, both for trainer Bob Baffert – Apple Fest in a maiden race on turf in the third race, and Fast and Shiny in the Grade 3 Las Cienegas Stakes for fillies and mares on the hillside turf course in the seventh race.

Van Dyke, 29, has not ridden since Oct. 6. Shortly after that, he took a leave of absence at a time when mental aspects of the sport and personal issues were taking a toll, he said earlier this month.

Last month, Van Dyke began making plans for a return, reconnecting with trainers and friends at Santa Anita. For more than a week, Van Dyke has exercised horses in preparation for his return this weekend.

:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports

“I’m blessed to get the opportunities I’ve been given so far,” Van Dyke said late Thursday afternoon. “I’m ready to prove that I made a change and made an improvement in myself and my life. Hopefully, I can make a difference in the afternoon.”

Aside from Baffert, Van Dyke has worked horses in recent days on behalf of trainers Simon Callaghan and Paddy Gallagher.

“I’ve been hitting the barn and showing the people I’m back,” he said.

“It’s been very good. I’ve got to prove to people that I’ve got my confidence back and to get their confidence back in me. Hopefully, things will blossom.

“I’m excited to get on horses in the morning. I missed it a lot.”

Van Dyke began contemplating a break in the final days of the Del Mar summer meeting last September. He did not have a successful 2023 season, winning five races. Van Dyke was not only struggling to find winners, but found himself unhappy. He used the time away to recast his mental approach, he said earlier this month.

During his absence, Van Dyke traveled briefly to Mexico and kept busy with workouts.

The nation’s champion apprentice rider in 2014, Van Dyke has won 809 races. He was the leading rider at the Del Mar summer and fall meetings in 2018, a year that included a seven-win day at Del Mar that August.

Regaining a role among the leading riders in Southern California is a goal for 2024.

“I’m happy where I’m at and happy personally,” Van Dyke said.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.