Veteran jockey Roberto Gonzalez, who is recovering from serious injuries sustained in a spill at Golden Gate Fields on April 29, will be the featured guest on the horse racing radio show “At The Track” Saturday.
Hosted by Sam Spear, “At The Track” airs from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. every Saturday on KNBR (680 AM).
Gonzalez fractured the C-2 vertebrae in his neck as well as his left ankle in the accident and has had to wear a halo neck brace since the spill.
“They’re going to remove the halo brace on June 23 and I can’t wait,” said Gonzalez. “It’s very hard to sleep at night with the brace.”
Despite the lack of sleep, Gonzalez is in good spirits and has already resumed training.
“I’m doing a lot better,” said Gonzalez. “I’m already doing physical therapy with my ankle. I’m riding my exercise bike and just trying to get stronger every day. I look forward to when I’ll be able to start physical therapy for my neck.”
Gonzalez, who will celebrate his 55th birthday on July 27, said his body and mind will determine if he ever rides another race.
“When I’m 100 percent recuperated I plan to work some horses,” said Gonzalez. “My body will tell me if I can still ride and my mind will tell me if I’m comfortable doing it.”
The dean of the Northern California jockey, Gonzalez has 4,454 career victories and his mounts have earned $64,644,660.