Mena Returns to Riding After Four-Month Layoff

Raul Mena felt more tired than he'd expected after riding Antonov  to a third-place finish in the April 16 Tampa Bay Downs opener, the jockey's first race since fracturing his left femur in an accident in a turf race on Dec. 7.

Outside of his fatigue, which was increased by the heat and high humidity, the 30-year-old Mena said he answered the other questions that had been swirling in his mind in the days leading to his return.

"When you are out for a couple of months, or even a couple of weeks, you can feel the difference, especially in this kind of weather," Mena said. "But you never forget what you have to do.

"I've been working horses now for three weeks, and there were a few times when I thought I might have to relearn something. But it's something you never forget. After the gate opens it's something natural for me, and it is a very special sensation."

A product of Santiago, Chile, Mena plans to compete at Tampa through May 6 before he and his wife Jaqueline Cabral head north for the Delaware Park meet beginning May 24. After his assigned mount in Saturday's third race, Mikes Myth, was scratched, he was champing at the bit to get back in action.

Mena followed his first race back with a sixth-place finish on Any Minute  in the third race and a seventh-place effort on Whistlewhileyoumow  in the ninth on the turf, both longshots.

Mena finished 12th in the Tampa Bay Downs standings two seasons ago with 28 winners, moving his tack last winter to Aqueduct Racetrack in New York, where he posted six victories. He had a solid meet last year at Delaware, finishing sixth with 39 winners, and was fifth the previous year with 38 winners.

"My goal this winter was to try to be in the top five here, but God had a different plan for me," said Mena, who had a titanium rod inserted to keep his femur in place. "I was very frustrated not riding, but being able to come back here for the last three weeks means a lot to me.

"I'm thankful to God for helping me come back and to my wife for all she did to help with my recovery. A lot of family members and friends were calling all the time to give me support, and that helped me a lot.

"You never know what is going to happen in this career, so you have to be prepared for everything mentally and physically," he added.