Jockey Jon Court set for a comeback from collapsed lung

Veteran jockey Jon Court – sidelined since a Feb. 13 riding injury – will return to the saddle this week for the last two days of Oaklawn Park's meet.

His first start since the injury will come aboard Colonelsdarktemper in the fifth race on Friday, a claiming race at 1 1/16 miles. On Saturday, Court will ride Bebop Shoes in a six-furlong claiming race before getting a leg up on Long Range Toddy in a $75,000 allowance optional claiming race for older horses at 1 1/16 miles.

Court also rode Long Range Toddy in the Take Charge Indy colt's last win, the Rebel Stakes (G2), in March 2019. At age 58, he then became the oldest rider on record to compete in the Kentucky Derby, also aboard Long Range Toddy.

Court, now 59, has been a jockey since 1980. In 34,294 career starts, he has 4,181 wins – good for a No. 63 ranking among North American jockeys – and earnings of $107.6 million.

In the February accident, Court suffered a collapsed lung and broken ribs going to the gate for the fourth race aboard first-time starter Line of Faith.

"I've had my fair share of broken ribs," he said Monday. "Never a collapsed lung."

After three days in the hospital, "I did my followup, like I normally do," he said. "I've been doing this for 40 years, so it's a walk in the park."

Still, he said, "the hardest part of being a jockey is physical therapy."

Court said he "got a little sore, got winded a few times."

Then, during the last week, he began riding at HighPointe Farm in La Grange, Ky.

"I went and worked horses and pushed myself -- didn't get sore or winded," Court said.

Still, he added, "There's nothing like a race. You can get fit, but until you climb into the ring, it's a whole new ballgame."

"I'm glad to be back," Court said. "Just hoping we can get to the winner's circle."