Saratoga: Jockey José Gómez sits out after positive COVID test

Photo: Andrew Capone

Apprentice jockey José Gómez is out of action until at least Wednesday after testing positive for COVID.

His agent Angel Cordero Jr. confirmed the result, which was reported earlier on Twitter by David Grening of Daily Racing Form.

Gómez was replaced for three scheduled mounts on Saturday and had been scheduled for six mounts Sunday, although two of those have been scratched.

WATCH: Gomez talks to HRN about his road to becoming a jockey

The 21-year-old jockey is 5-for-83 at the current Saratoga meet. His biggest win was Thursday on Golden Rocket in a New York Stallion Series Stakes.

"Nothing is wrong with him, physically he feels good," Cordero told Horse Racing Nation. "Friday, he had a little sore throat, but that was the only thing."

Gómez may return after five days, if he tests negative.

A native of Michigan, Gómez is the son of an exercise rider and a groom. He grew up around Penn National and broke weanlings when he moved to Ocala, Fla., as a teenager.

He was a seven-pound apprentice early this year at Parx and Aqueduct and now has a five-pound bug. Gomez has been riding professionally since last June at Aqueduct, and he had his first winner in October at Belmont Park.

Gomez's record this year is 788: 100-105-102 with earnings of $4,779,264, according to Equibase.

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