Belmont Stakes John Velazquez Injured

New York Post—June 21, 2012

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to John Velazquez, who has returned home after being hospitalized in Louisville, Ky., with a broken right collarbone and bruised kidney suffered in an ugly spill Sat. night at Churchill Downs.

Velazquez will consult with doctors at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City regarding future treatment for the collarbone. The kidney is expected to heal on its own. No estimate yet on when he’ll return to the saddle, with opening day of the Saratoga meet — during which Velazquez will be inducted in the Racing Hall of Fame — just four weeks away.

Johnny V, who certainly hopes to be back in time to ride Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags in the Aug. 25 Travers, has won five riding titles at the Old Spa, including the last two summers, and is just 39 wins away from surpassing Jerry Bailey as the winningest rider of all-time at Saratoga.