Krone Returns to Track Saying She Is Almost Ready

Julie Krone, racing’s top female jockey, rode for the first time Wednesday since suffering a broken right ankle in a spill last August at Saratoga. She said she hoped to return to competitive riding in 30 days.

“The back of my shoulders hurt and a couple of times my ankle burned,” Krone said after galloping Uncharted Waters and Vel Vel for trainer Scotty Schulhofer at Belmont Park’s training track.

“It hurts a little, but it’s like with Charles Barkley, who has a bad back. He says it only hurts when he’s walking around, not playing basketball.”

Krone, who has 13 pins in her ankle, also visited with trainers Allen Jerkens, Bill Mott and Angel Cordero, whose own Hall of Fame riding career ended after a major spill.

It wasn’t Krone’s first time on a horse since the accident. After three months of rehabilitation, Krone did some recreational riding on her farm the first week in April and was thrown when the horse she was riding lost his footing jumping over some fallen trees. He landed on her injured leg.

Krone said she was a little nervous before her ride and that she felt awkward on Uncharted Waters but better on Vel Vel.

Is she ready for competition?

“I feel a little bit cocky already,” said Krone, the winner of last year’s Belmont Stakes aboard Colonial Affair. “It’s easier to ride right now than it is to walk.”