Jockey John Velazquez returned to the saddle in Wednesday’s fifth race at Saratoga, finishing a disappointing fourth aboard Lucky Friend who was sent off at odds of 9 to 5 by bettors. It was his first race back after suffering a fractured right collarbone and lacerated kidney in a spill at Churchill Downs exactly a week following his victory aboard Union Rags in the Belmont Stakes on June 9.

“I was a little bit anxious to be out there,” Velazquez said. “Once I got there, it was very good. It’s wonderful to be here and happy. With the way the fans reacted, it was very nice. [Physically], I felt very good. Actually, I am better than I thought I was going to be after the race. I greatly appreciate the way the fans reacted. I am happy to be here. It feels great to be here.”

Velazquez was forced to wait until the ninth race where he rode 3 year-old filly Stephanie’s Kitten to a third place finish in the Grade 2 Lake George Stakes.

Velazquez is scheduled to ride Artest in the Quick Call Stakes on Thursday, the eighth race of the ten race program. It is his only mount.