Garrett Gomez is scheduled to undergo surgery on a broken left heel Jan. 12, the jockey confirmed after seeing a specialist in California Jan. 9.
Gomez, 40, was injured Jan. 8 when his mount, Silver Summation, flipped and unseated him on the path from the paddock to the track before the Daytona Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. EMTs put his foot in an air boot before transporting him to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for X-rays.
Gomez said Jan. 10 he would have surgery to insert a plate and screws.
The horse, a 5-year-old gelded son of Closing Argument-Silver of Silver, did not appear to sustain injuries at the time of the incident but was scratched from the race according to state rules.
On Jan. 9 Gomez saw Dr. James Tibone, a leading orthopedic specialist from the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic, who recommended the surgery. Tibone said the jockey will require five to eight weeks of recovery time before he’s back in the saddle.
A two-time Eclipse Award winner, Gomez was on a phenomenal run at the Santa Anita meet with six victories in stakes racked up in 10 days since Dec. 26. He ranks second in the nation in earnings, with $380,380 won in the first eight days of the New Year.