Leonel Reyes made his much-anticipated return to horse racing at Gulfstream Park on Friday after a 157-day hiatus due to surgery for an open fracture in his left ankle sustained in a fall last November. Although winless in his three mounts that day, Reyes showed competitive form, notably finishing a close second aboard Action Delight in a maiden claimer. Reyes, who has over 1,400 wins in Venezuela and is nearing 1,000 wins in North America, expressed gratitude for his recovery and the warm welcome from fans and fellow jockeys.

Reyes, turning 40 soon, is set to ride in multiple races over the weekend, including the $75,000 Golden Beach overnight handicap. He acknowledged the competitive nature of the jockeys’ room but remains optimistic about returning to winning form. His comeback marks a significant milestone in his career, reflecting resilience and determination to continue competing at a high level.