Jockey Kazushi Kimura is slated to return to action March 21, more than two months after suffering a lower leg injury while in the starting gate.
Agent Brian Beach March 9 said Kimura will begin getting on horses during morning training towards the end of next week. His return coincides with the new condition book that runs through the end of Santa Anita Park's Classic Meet April 6.
"He's a really hard worker and has been diligent in his physical therapy," Beach said. "He's doing everything known to man trying to get back."
Kimura's injury was to his left ankle. While initially not expected to miss much time, persistent swelling and other issues led to a longer recovery time for the 25-year-old native of Japan. Beach said doctors put two screws into Kimura's injured ankle and last week he flew to Costa Rica for stem cell therapy
At the time of the injury, Kimura ranked third in earnings among jockeys at the Classic Meet and was fourth in wins. His victories included the La Brea Stakes (G1) with Kopion for trainer Richard Mandella, the Las Flores Stakes (G3) aboard Richi, and Blue Norther on Casalu. Both Richi and Casalu are trained by Bob Baffert.
Kopion returned to win the Santa Monica (G2) Feb. 1 and Richi was a gallant second in Saturday's B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile (G1). Kopion and Richi in those starts were both ridden by Antonio Fresu. Casalu returned to win the Sweet Life Feb. 9 with Flavien Prat aboard.
"It's been tough," Beach acknowledged. "He was riding a lot of good horses."
Kimura has been riding in the United States and Canada since 2018. That year he won the Canada's Sovereign Award as outstanding apprentice jockey. The following year, he won the Eclipse Award as outstanding apprentice jockey. Kimura was also Canada's outstanding jockey in both 2021 and 2022.
In North America, Kimura has won 939 races and banked $40,487,619 in earnings.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
