Jockey Jose Valdivia, who has not ridden since late December, is planning a late spring comeback after recently undergoing two shoulder surgeries.
Valdivia, 51, said in a recent interview that the second surgery, involving a bone graft, has stabilized his left shoulder and improved his mobility. Valdivia said he is undergoing physical therapy twice a week and is hoping to receive doctor’s clearance in April for more vigorous physical activity.
“Every day is better and better,” he said.
The seven-figure yearlings Cherokee Nation and Potente are scheduled to represent Bob Baffert in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 4, two leading chances to give the Hall of Famer a 10th win in California’s leading prep race for the Triple Crown.
On Thursday, both horses had workouts at Santa Anita. Potente, the undefeated winner of the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 7 in his stakes debut, worked five furlongs in 59.20 seconds. Potente, bought for $2.4 million as a yearling at Saratoga, won his first start in a maiden race at six furlongs on Jan. 31.
Horses will be running for more money this summer at Saratoga.
The New York Racing Association announced Thursday that purses for overnight races for the one-week Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and the 46-day summer meet will increase by a blended average of almost 14 percent.
The close of this Turfway Park meet marks the end of Chip Bach’s tenure with the track after 25 years, as the general manager officially retires on April 1. He will be recognized on closing night amid fan appreciation celebrations.
Bach started with Turfway in 1999 as director of operations and human resources. In 2012, he was promoted to general manager and later added oversight of Newport Racing and Gaming to his duties when it opened in 2020, playing a key role in the opening of the facility during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. A. P., second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar in October, recently resumed training at Santa Anita for an intended comeback in late spring or summer.
Trainer Vladimir Cerin said last weekend that Mr. A. P. is currently jogging. Cerin said the Affirmed Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on June 11 is a potential goal. Other options are the turf stakes for 3-year-olds at Del Mar during the summer, Cerin said.
Owned by David and Holly Wilson, Mr. A. P. was claimed for $150,000 on July 31, a record fee at Del Mar.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The late Terry Wallace, who for decades was the announcer at Oaklawn Park, will enter the Arkansas Walk of Fame during a Tuesday ceremony in Hot Springs, Ark., according to member Tom Nichols. It will begin at 11 a.m. Central at The Vapors.
Nichols, a longtime broadcaster who has a radio station, said speakers are scheduled to include Eric Jackson and Nancy Holthus, both of Oaklawn, as well as organizers from charities that Wallace worked with closely in Arkansas.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Redland Rebels is a fresh face on the Kentucky Derby trail. On Saturday, he gets an opportunity to try to secure a spot in the starting gate for the classic in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.
He’s cross-entered in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, but was to have arrived Wednesday at Oaklawn, according to his trainer, Patrick Biancone. Redland Rebels, who is based in South Florida, ran in his first Kentucky Derby prep last out, when he set the pace and finished fourth, beaten 2 3/4 lengths, in the Tampa Bay Derby on March 7.
The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association has approved two new measures to temporarily adjust purse awards at Laurel Park.
The MTHA coordinated with The Maryland Jockey Club, which has representatives on the MTHA Purse Committee, to enact both adjustments, which are intended to better reward local horsemen and bolster field sizes.
Ultimate Love, the top turf juvenile in the Mid-Atlantic region last year, is back in training at Fair Hill and could soon make her 3-year-old debut for trainer Michael Trombetta.
The Florida-bred filly spent her winter break back home at Live Oak Plantation, but Trombetta always planned to bring her to Maryland ahead of the turf season up north.
“[Live Oak] was very happy to give her a couple months’ downtime,” Trombetta said. “They got her started and they said she was right back into things, like she hadn’t had much of a break or rest. They were very happy with her.”
