Edgard Zayas is building momentum for the 2021-2022 Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park last December when he had to make a difficult decision.
The 28-year-old South Florida jockey, who won a breakout 2020-2021 championship followed by Spring/Summer and Fall Meet titles, has opted for shoulder surgery that will drop him in the section. rest of the Gulfstream’s prestigious winter session.
“It’s been really, really frustrating, because I was expecting to have a really good Championship meet, and it started off great,” said Zayas. “It’s really frustrating to see the horses that I ride so often win. It’s like, ‘That could be me.’ “
Six months after left shoulder surgery, his hometown Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, will return to action on June 24 in Gulfstream, where he is expected to ride in three races on the 10-hour Happy Hour program. The race will begin at 2:55 p.m. ET.
“Honestly, I’m super hungry,” Zayas said. “For this meetup, it’s a bit late, but I’ll try to pick up some nice babies and rebuild my business and prepare for winter.”
Zayas has been galloping and riding for the past few weeks. He may have put off the inevitable surgery and resumed riding last winter, but he is confident he made the right decision and is happy his shoulder problems are at. behind him.
“It was an injury that happened in the middle of last year. It was dislocated. By the end of the year it was dislocated again. I went for a checkup and decided to have surgery on it,” Zayas said.
“It took longer than I thought. The doctor didn’t think it was that bad until he came in and found it a little worse than we thought.”
While recovering and rehabilitating, Zayas has to spend quality time with his wife, Ashley, and their daughters, 5-year-old Lillian and 18-month-old Lilah.
“Honestly, I really enjoyed it, but it got to the point where I had to be ready to go back to work. At first it was nice a little bit, but after a couple of weeks it got discouraged,” he said. .
Zayas has ridden 1,930 winners since starting his career in late 2012, benefiting from early mentorship from the Angel Cordero and Edgar Prado Walks of Fame. He was a finalist for the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice in 2013 (losing to Victor Carrasco) after riding over 200 winners and scoring a 1st place win that summer on board. Starship Truffles in Princess Rooney Stakes at Calder Racecourse no longer exist.
Zayas has ridden more than 200 winners in six of his nine full years of career. He was named for riding a starter that was first trained by Ralph Nicks Women’s flag in the third race, Antonio Sano trained Don’t accept Khozy in season seven, and Saffie Joseph Jr. trained Li Li Bear on the eighth day.
