Jockey Maldonado returns from injury Friday at Santa Anita

Jockey Edwin Maldonado returns to action this week at Santa Anita after recovering from a shoulder injury. The 41-year-old reinsman has six rides booked for Friday and four more Saturday, which includes on Two Rivers Over in the featured GII San Pasqual for trainer Doug O’Neill.

Maldonado injured his right shoulder Jan. 6 after he was unseated from his mount during training hours. He has been back galloping and working horses since last week.

“I’m ready to go,” Maldonado proclaimed Thursday morning.

Prior to the injury, Maldonado was off to a fast start at the Classic Meet. He was tied for fifth in the jockey’s standings with six wins from 15 mounts, a robust 40 percent strike rate. His wins included the Lady of Shamrock Stakes on New Year’s Eve aboard Ruby Nell, who returns in Saturday’s GII, $500,000 Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park for trainer Richard Mandella. She will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, who was tapped by Mandella after Maldonado was injured.