Agent: Javier Castellano will return to racing next Thursday

Five weeks after he broke his hand in an accident at Saratoga, Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano will return to racing next Thursday during the Belmont at the Big A meet at Aqueduct.

“That’s the plan,” agent P.J. Campo said in a text message confirming the first report by Daily Racing Form.

Campo told DRF’s David Grening that Castellano would do some morning exercise riding in the days before he gets back to racing in the afternoons.

Click here for Belmont at Aqueduct entries and results.

Riding 3-year-old colt Take Me To Church on Aug. 30, Castellano, 46, was dismounted when he could not avoid what turned about to be the fatal breakdown ahead of him by The Big Torpedo in the Grade 3 Saranac Stakes.

Three pins surgically implanted in Castellano’s hand three weeks ago were removed Tuesday, according to DRF.

Horses will be entered Friday for next Thursday’s card. Campo told DRF that Casatellano could be expected to ride Tom Morley-trained allowance winner Donegal Momentum in the Gio Ponti Stakes, a turf race for 3-year-olds.