Kazushi Kimura is set to make his return and will begin riding horses during morning training toward the end of next week, Santa Anita revealed via press release Sunday afternoon.
Sidelined for more than two months after suffering a lower leg injury in a starting gate incident back in mid-January, his agent Brian Beach said Kimura will begin getting on horses for morning works next week and will return for the new condition book that runs through the end of the Classic Meet Apr. 6.
“He's a really hard worker and has been diligent in his physical therapy,” Beach said. “He's doing everything known to man trying to get back.”
After Kimura's injury to his left ankle, Beach says doctors put two screws into it and that the jockey flew to Costa Rica last week for stem cell therapy. The injury was initially not expected to cost him much time, but persistent swelling and other issues led to a longer recovery. At the time of his injury, Kimura was third in earnings and fourth in wins among jockeys at the Classic meet. He was onboard for several graded victories including notably the GI La Brea Stakes aboard GISW Kopion (Omaha Beach) for trainer Richard Mandella.
“It's been tough. He was riding a lot of good horses,” said Beach.
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