Gomez Secures Pacific Classic Mount

“It was frustrating and I feel in some ways mishandled, but I’m glad to have it behind me and ready to ride again,” Garrett Gomez said Friday morning in the Del Mar stable area.

Cleared to ride workouts Friday and races on Saturday, Gomez spent the morning receiving “welcome back” greetings from several horsemen, working two horses and preparing for the three mounts he is named aboard Saturday in his meeting debut -- among them Dice Flavor in the La Jolla Handicap -- and four on Sunday.

Testing, results and paperwork filing required as part of a recent fine and suspension took longer than Gomez would have preferred. But a communication from Dr. Robert R. Johnson of the Amen Clinics giving medical clearance prompted stewards to approve his return Thursday afternoon.

Gomez said he has been maintaining a regular exercise routine, including running on the beach, and has no concerns about being in riding shape considering the relatively short absence.

Gomez, 41, took off scheduled mounts the first two days of the meeting, July 17-18, and was absent from the track while being treated for an alcohol relapse until meeting with stewards on July 28. A subsequent meeting with the stewards on    August 2  resulted in a $1,000 fine and stipulations regarding further testing of prescription drug levels before receiving approval to resume riding both workouts and races.

Tony Matos, Gomez’s agent, said he has secured mounts for Gomez on Farraaj for the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic on Sunday, August 25 and San Clemente Handicap winner Wishing Gate for the Del Mar Oaks on Saturday, August 17.

Farraaj, an import from England, is due to arrive at Del Mar on Tuesday. Gomez has the most victories of any rider in the Pacific Classic, four, having guided Skimming (2000-2001), Borrego (2005) and Go Between (2008) to wins. Mike Smith is second with three Classic scores.