FOLLOWING a three-month break, Panamanian jockey Dick Cardenas returned to the saddle to ride in competitive races on the opening day of the three-day Easter Racing Carnival at Caymanas Park on Saturday, April 16 2022.

Cardenas opened his winning account on his first ride since his return, Sir Kel for trainer Oneil Markland over five furlongs straight (1,000 metres), in a three-year-old and upwards ($750,00,00/$600,00) claiming encounter.

Sir Kel came from behind horses to win the event by 2 ½ lengths ahead of Custer and Sudden Flight in a time of 1:01.0.

“I was away from racing for a while because of an accident while riding in a race. It is part of the job. I have recovered now, and it is good to come back and win a race — but I will take my time in getting there. I spent three months at home with my family and that was good.

“In the one race that I won, I did not feel bad from the gallop; I felt a little tired but nothing that restricted me from continuing. Today [Saturday] I feel much better and by next week I will be ready, ready. I feel good and up to the task of riding.

“The thing is, I came back much better because before I got injured, I had a body weight of 110lb and could not have shed a single pound, and now that I am down to 48.0 kg it makes me feel much better in my body than before the injury. I am also much sharper now in my movements to get around. Going home to my family really helped me,” Cardenas said.

On the next race day (Easter Sunday) Cardenas won on Dezzy The Genius and on Easter Monday success came aboard Amy The Butcher.