David Cohen readies for first Preakness ride aboard Keepmeinmind

Jockey David Cohen will ride in his first Preakness Stakes (G1) Saturday at Pimlico Race Course expecting a better result from Keepmeinmind, who closed from 19th to finish seventh in the May 1 Kentucky Derby (G1).

“We were extremely happy with his performance in the Derby,” said Cohen, who was provided his first Kentucky Derby appearance by the Robertino Diodoro-trained son of Laoban. “I think he finally got back to his 2-year-old form as far as relaxing early on and coming and finishing up with a nice, strong finish that we know he likes to do.

"Being such a big field, we got shuffled back a little farther than I’d have liked to have been," Cohen continued. "But at the same time, with the removal of the blinkers and getting him to relax, I was happy just for him to get back to his running style that we know he wants to run. To see him finish up was definitely encouraging.”

The 36-year-old jockey has ridden Keepmeinmind in six of seven races, only missing out on the Breeders’ Cup because he was riding another horse for Diodoro.  He hasn’t been just Keepmeinmind’s regular jockey, he has been aboard for many of the colt’s workouts.

“Some horses you fall into prior to their last start prior to getting to the Derby,” he said. “This guy, I was getting on him for his first quarter-mile at the track. I’ve really had a lot of foundation with him. That much was pretty special. Doing it with Robertino and my supporters made it even more special…. Just blessed that the horse made a good effort, came out of it healthy and feeling good and sound. I’m definitely looking forward to the Preakness.”

Riding in the Preakness is the latest chapter in Cohen’s comeback story. 

Cohen, who has ridden 1,560 winners since beginning his career in 2004, was among the sport’s rising stars when he was kicked by his mount in his lower right leg in the paddock at Aqueduct on Feb. 1, 2014. His badly fractured fibula and tibia required surgery involving a plate and six screws to repair.

The cancer-related death of his father, California horse owner Morry Cohen, several months after the paddock mishap had the jockey struggling to heal, not only physically but emotionally. He rode six races in late 2014 but was discovered to have a torn meniscus in his right knee. Cohen suffered another personal loss a year later with the death of his sister, Dana. He did not ride again until Nov. 30, 2017. 

“Coming off an injury in 2018, I received the [JockeyTalk 360] Comeback Award,” he said. “In 2019, I had a bang-up year and won the Oaklawn Park title. To be here in 2021, I’m definitely very blessed for these opportunities.”

Keepmeinmind jogged a mile and galloped a mile Thursday at Pimlico for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes. As delighted as Diodoro was with Keepmeinmind’s training session Wednesday during the colt’s introduction to the Pimlico surface, he was even happier with the second day at the track.

“Yesterday, he seemed happy and relaxed,” Diodoro said. “Today, he was very sharp, a lot sharper but still very happy. I think he likes the track. I’m really impressed with the surface. Even the [exercise rider] says it seems like a very kind track.”