After breaking his fibula while queuing for the starting gate before the race on January 19, driver Marcelino Pedroza Jr. returned to the saddle on February 9 during morning practice at Fair Grounds Racecourse & Slots. He trained a few horses and beat Patricia West million WOOD .
Marcelino! @jockeypedrozajrFirst morning back, working with a horse from Patricia West’s stables, and according to his agent, John Herbstreit, he is looking to get back in the saddle for next week’s races. Welcome back to Marcelino Pedroza Jr—so glad the fracture healed so quickly! pic.twitter.com/eybLIyZaaD
– Fairgrounds (@fairgroundsnola) February 9, 2023
“Hopefully (we will go to the same barn), it looks like we will,” said John Herbstreit, Pedroza’s agent, John Herbstreit. “It was a small crack, and there was nothing they could do but give it time to heal.”
Pedroza has made the top 10 of the Fair Grounds equestrian rankings seven times since first joining the colony in 2013-14. During that time, the Panamanian native won 328 races locally. Pedroza won three top rider crowns at Indianapolis horseshoeformerly known as the Indiana Grand.
Herbstreit said: “I hope he will (ride) a few next week.
Pedroza is named on a horse February 16: Nancy Vanier and Lyda Williamson’s Hat head , coached by Brian Williamson. Hat Tip is also eligible and requires two rakes to withdraw the lawn allowance.
Pedroza riding a horse O Besos in the 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downsfinished fifth on the late Greg Foley rally for owners Bernard Racing, Tagg Team Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds and Terry Stephens.
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
