Going into 2023, jockey Rocco Bowen was coming off an injury that occurred on August 08 of 2022 which was exactly five months ago to date. His last win before the injury was in a maiden claiming race on July 28, 2022, aboard Raw Honey at Presque Isle.
Rocco Bowen took a spill at Presque Isle while riding in the third race of the day on August 8th. While the rumors got around of the spill and the extent of the injury, many fans wished the jockey who is a native of Barbados best wishes and a speedy recovery. As a result of the fall, Bowen suffered a broken collar bone in two places, punctured lungs, and was bruised very badly. The injury itself required surgery assisted by 7 screws launched into his collar bone and plenty of rehab time recommended by the doctor.
During the time of recovery, Rocco Bowen had to watch all his mounts reshuffled elsewhere while he sat on the sidelines but from his own testimony, he knew that was the obvious thing to happen since he had been through a similar injury many years ago.
Rocco Bowen got back to the races on November 19th, 2022 where he got his first mount in the Sun Power stakes at Hawthorne for a $75000 purse but finished out of the money. After riding in the Sun Power Stakes he took off to Oaklawn Park to ride at their winter meet.
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| Rocco Bowen wins two races at Oaklawn park. |
Bowen finally got back into the winner's circle today January 8th, 2023 with a mount in the first race aboard Holding Pattern which is trained by Thomas h. Swearingen. Holding Pattern broke well but was taken to the back by Rocco where he saw all horses. By the top of the stretch, Bowen had Holding Pattern within reach of the front-runner Ojitos and soon after took over and won the race. The very next race Bowen rode the gray gelding See Spot Run which went off at 20-1. Bowen positioned the horse well from the start and place him within reach of the pacesetter Skyline and eventually passed him turning for the stretch run. The number 8 horse Mystifier, came up alongside See Spot Run and took a small lead but Bowen fought right back with See Spot Run and eventually won making it two wins for the day and two for the year!
I spoke with Rocco Bowen after the race while he was on his way back to Chicago for a home visit.
Bowen gave thanks to everyone involved in making his recovery pleasant and successful. Bowen also thanks his two agents who have helped him to get back on top of these horses and regain some momentum for his career. It's been a long time between wins but he is very grateful.
derek.barntrack@gmail.com