Churchill Downs Update and Week Preview: Garcia, Geroux Set to Resume Riding Thursday

Nov 04, 2026

Jockeys Martin Garcia and Florent Geroux are scheduled to resume riding Thursday at Churchill Downs after being sidelined by injuries from separate incidents during the September Meet.

Geroux is named on Donie Maronie for trainer Mark Casse in Race 3 at 1:58 p.m. (all times Eastern) and Schwarzenegger for Wesley Ward in Race 4 at 2:27 p.m. Garcia is scheduled to ride Cruising Again for trainer Dale Romans in Race 8 at 4:25 p.m.

Geroux broke six ribs when his mount, Flip Flop Freak, fell in the fourth race Sept. 10 at Churchill Downs. He spent more than a week at University of Louisville Hospital while doctors monitored multiple rib fractures.

Geroux returned a week ago to work horses for trainer Bob Baffert and was aboard Salahudin for a solo half-mile in :47 on Oct. 25 at Churchill Downs, days before the colt finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI).

“Everything felt good,” Geroux said. “I can’t wait to be back racing.”

Garcia sustained a rib injury in a six-horse spill while riding Steve Wood in the second race Sept. 19 at Churchill Downs. He began working horses for Romans this past week and is also named on two of his runners Saturday: Madeline’s Promise in Race 4 and C K Wonder in the $300,000 Bet On Sunshine in Race 10.

THIS WEEK AT CHURCHILL DOWNS: FIVE DAYS, 50 RACES AND A SATURDAY STAKES DOUBLEHEADER – Week two of the five-week Churchill Downs Fall Meet began Wednesday with Senior Day and features a stakes doubleheader Saturday and Military Appreciation Day on Sunday.

Wednesday, Nov. 4 – Senior Day and Two Carryovers
Wednesday’s 10-race card features a $134,000 allowance optional claimer for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles in Race 9 at 4:55 p.m. Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) starter Resist makes her first start since the Oaks against a field that includes Ile de La Cite, who has won her last two starts for trainer Brendan Walsh, and Clairita, who’s a perfect 2-for-2 at Churchill Downs. The 20-cent Derby City 6 begins in Race 5 at 2:57 p.m. with a $53,803 carryover. The Jackpot 8 has a $422,155 carryover in Race 10 at 5:24 p.m.
Gates open at noon for Senior Day. Guests 60 and older could purchase a discounted ticket on Millionaires’ Row for $50 by calling (502) 636-4450.
Thursday, Nov. 5 – Outfielder and Throckmorton Meet Again
Outfielder and Throckmorton will rematch in the featured $141,000 allowance for 3-year-olds, scheduled at 5 ½ furlongs on turf in Race 4 at 2:27 p.m. Outfielder won the William Walker at Churchill Downs in May and caught Throckmorton by a half-length at Keeneland last month in an allowance contest. Trainer Wesley Ward also entered Indian Summer winner Schwarzenegger, who reunites with Florent Geroux after the duo won a Churchill Downs allowance in May. The race also includes Lafayette Stakes (Listed) winner Trouble Calling and two-time stakes winner Street Beast.
Friday, Nov. 6 – Grade III Winner Encino Returns to Allowance Company
Godolphin’s 2024 Lexington Stakes (GIII) winner Encino will return to allowance company in Friday’s $148,000 allowance optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on turf in Race 8 at 4:25 p.m. Trained by Brad Cox, Encino won three stakes in 2025: the Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial (Listed) at Horseshoe Indianapolis, Presque Isle Mile at Presque Isle Downs and Prairie Bayou (Listed) at Turfway Park. Two months ago, he was victorious in the Avery Whisman Memorial Stakes at Presque Isle Downs.
Earlier on the nine-race card, The Grumpy Rabbit makes her first start since finishing second in last fall’s Rags to Riches. The Alcibiades (GI) third-place finisher returns in a $127,000 allowance at one mile in Race 4 at 2:27 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7 – Stakes Doubleheader featuring the $300,000 River City (GIII) and $300,000 Bet On Sunshine (Listed)
Sycamore (GII) winner Lambeth cuts back to 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course in the $300,000 River City (GIII), which goes as Race 8 at 4:25 p.m.
Two-time turf stakes winner Greenwich Village gets blinkers back for his return to dirt in the six-furlong $300,000 Bet On Sunshine in Race 10 at 5:25 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 8 – Military Appreciation Day
Churchill Downs will honor veterans and active-duty military personnel during Military Appreciation Day presented by Coca-Cola. Gates open at noon, and veterans and active-duty military personnel receive complimentary general admission with a valid military ID. The day includes veteran tributes on the Big Board and recognition of the Woody Williams Foundation. Discounted lunch is available for veterans and active-duty military on Millionaires’ Row for $45 and can be reserved by calling (502) 636-4450 or through GOVX.
Two $134,000 allowance optional claimers at six furlongs share top billing on the 10-race card. Southwest (GIII) runner-up Soldier N Diplomat returns from a seven-month layoff against Louisiana-bred stakes winner Creole Chrome in Race 4 at 2:27 p.m. Beaumont (GII) runner-up Sneaky Good leads a field of seven 3-year-old fillies in Race 9 at 4:55 p.m.