Retired Hall of Famer Stevens adjusting to life out of the saddle

Gary Stevens, fresh out of the starting gate in a new career behind the mic after retiring from a Hall of Fame riding career last November, was a recent visitor to Clockers’ Corner, taking in the breathtaking landscape that is uniquely Santa Anita Park's, and schmoozing with friends and acquaintances.

Stevens is recovering well from an operation on his C4 vertebra nearly two months ago following a post parade mishap at Del Mar.

“The surgery took place the latter part of January at USC, so I’m about eight weeks into recovery right now, and I’m doing well,” Stevens said. “I’m in therapy twice a week and doing home exercise. I’m on an elliptical machine and exercising to strengthen my neck.

“I’m pain free and there’s no numbness in my arms or fingers or feet. That’s all gone, but it was a quadruple fusion, and they used cadaver bone, a plate and six screws. It takes six months to a year to fully heal.”

Stevens also is mending emotionally from his retirement as a world-class jockey, taking up work as an analyst for Fox Sports and the New York Racing Association.

“I’ve done five shows, but I’ve got a little bit of boredom going on," he said. "I watch a lot of races on TV since we haven’t been racing at Santa Anita.”

On a happier note, Stevens was understandably pleased that his older brother, Scott, 58, was named winner of Santa Anita’s George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award.

“Well-deserved,” said Gary, 56, who won it in 1996. “He should have won it before I did, so it’s good. He’s excited.”