Santa Anita Park: Van Dyke could resume riding in two weeks
The jagged scar on the inside of Drayden Van Dyke’s right forearm that runs from the crook of his elbow to just before his wrist is straight out of Mary Shelley’s imagination.
It’s a monster mark the 22-year-old rider will hold in his memory ad infinitum, but he will not let it prevent him from returning to his first love, race riding.
Van Dyke, the nation’s outstanding apprentice of 2014, had been sidelined since fracturing his right arm in a two-horse spill at Santa Anita on Jan. 27. Now he is back working horses and expects to resume riding in two weeks or less.
“I’ve been itching like I have Poison Ivy to get back out here,” Van Dyke said between works Saturday. “It’s fun to see all my friends out here at Clockers’ Corner again every morning. Getting back on a horse made me whole again. There’s no feeling more special than getting on a horse, working it, riding it.
“I’m 10 times happier than I was during my recovery. To be honest, it was a blessing in disguise. It opened my eyes even more than they already were and it’s going to do nothing but make me a better rider.
“I feel I’ll be back riding races within two weeks, but it’s up to my wrist.
“Everything else is 100 percent except my right wrist is slightly weak right now. Some of the scar tissue is still in there, but on horses right now, there’s no pain. It’s just a little bit weak.
“Once I get my confidence back, I should be back in a week or two.”
NO LIVE RACING ON THURSDAY, JUNE 15 AND THURSDAY, JUNE 22
With Santa Anita’s current Spring Summer Meet set to conclude on Tuesday, July 4, the track has modified its current racing schedule for the next two weeks, as it will now run a pair of three-day weeks, beginning Friday, June 16 and Friday, June 23, in advance of a five-day closing week, which starts on Friday, June 30.
“It’s always been our goal to run more race dates, but as we’ve said, consistently, we need to present racing cards that provide the most value and are in the best interest of our customers,” said Joe Morris, The Stronach Group’s Senior Vice President of West Coast Operations. “Looking forward, we will continue to evaluate our racing schedule as we strive to present the best possible product for our fans.”
Santa Anita added an extra race yesterday, today and Sunday, resulting in a total of 30 races for the week, compared to 34 that were run over the previous four-day week. Entries averaged 8.7 per race this week, compared to 6.9 horses per race last week.
With the current meet set to end on July 4, Fan Appreciation will be a top priority over the final three weeks, with free Club House admission added on Fridays, along with free parking on those days. The final two days of the season, July 3 and 4, will be Dollar Days, with one dollar beers, sodas and hot dogs.
HONEYMOON DISTANCE SUITS BEAU RECALL
Beau Recall has had three solid races in the U.S., winning her debut in an overnight event Jan. 29 and finishing second in both the restricted China Doll March 11 and the Grade III Senorita Stakes May 6. Each race was at Santa Anita going one mile on turf.
Next Saturday, Beau Recall stretches out to a mile and an eighth in the Grade II, $200,000 Honeymoon Stakes for three-year-old fillies. Simon Callaghan feels it will suit the Irish-bred bay owned by Slam Dunk Racing.
“The way she’s been galloping out I think the extra distance will help her,” said the trainer, who once again will be handled by hot-riding Joe Talamo, who with a win aboard City Steel in Friday’s eighth race, tied Flavien Prat for the riding lead at 27 each. Talamo has ridden Beau Recall in each of her starts here. She worked five furlongs Saturday morning in 1:02.20.
Probable for the Honeymoon: Beau Recall, La Force, Pacific Wind, Princess Coco, Sircat Sally, Tap It All and Zaffinah. Spooky Woods worked six furlongs Saturday for Jerry Hollendorfer in a bullet 1:13.20.
FINISH LINES: Belated congratulations to singer, actress and Broadway star Laura Bell Bundy who tied the knot last weekend to Thom Hinkle, a TBS executive, in an elaborate country-themed ceremony in Santa Anita’s Infield. For all the details, visit the following link: http://people.com/style/laura-
Source: Santa Anita Park