Stevens pointing to return to saddle

Arcadia, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens confirmed recently his desire to return to race riding less than two months after knee replacement surgery.

“I am coming back,” Stevens said. “I’ve had people ask me, ‘Are you going to try?’, and I said, ‘No, I’m not going to try. I am.’ That’s all there is to it. Case closed.

“I’m going through therapy and everything’s ahead of schedule. I have no pain now. I’ll be on horses very soon.”

The 51-year-old jockey had the surgery on July 25. Previous problems with his knees forced Stevens to retire for seven years from 2005 to 2013. He returned to riding full-time just before his 50th birthday in January 2013. Knee problems also forced Stevens to take time off in 1999-2000.

Last year, Stevens won the Preakness Stakes with Oxbow and the Breeders’ Cup Classic aboard Mucho Macho Man. He has 4,988 wins and $236,951,490 in career earnings.

Categorized in: Horses