Miguel Vasquez rode three winners Thursday!
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Comebacking jockey Edgard Zayas rode back-to-back winners on Thursday’s program at Gulfstream Park.
On the sidelines for more than six months following surgery on his left shoulder, the 28-year-old rider returned to action last week.
“I feel way better this week. It’s not where I want to be. It’s only the second week, but I’m feeling way better and comfortable. It’s not like any other injury. The longest I’ve been out was three months. I was out almost seven months,” Zayas said. “I knew it was going to take at least a week to find that rhythm and timing back.”
Zayas guided Sonicus ($6) to a front-running victory in Race 5, a 5 ½-furlong maiden special weight sprint, before rallying just off the pace under Boss Lady Kim ($7.80) in Race 6, a 5 ½-furlong claiming race on Tapeta. Both winners are trained by Saffie Joseph Jr.
Zayas has ridden 1932 winners since venturing to South Florida to launch his career in late 2012. He was an Eclipse Award finalist for outstanding apprentice jockey in 2013 after riding more than 200 winners and notching a Grade 1 victory aboard Starship Truffles in the Princess Rooney at Calder. He has ridden more than 200 winners in six of the first nine complete years of his career while winning numerous South Florida riding titles.
Zayas wasn’t the only rider having a good day. Miguel Vasquez rode three winners Thursday. Vasquez won aboard It’s Nora Now ($6) in race 1, Celestial Gaze ($6.20) in Race 3, and ended the afternoon riding Sun Viking ($21.40) to victory in Race 8.
David Joseph/Gulfstream Park
Photo of Edgard Zayas on Sonicus by Ryan Thompson
