By Dick Downey

Garrett Gomez was to see his surgeon for follow-up Tuesday. Claire Novak answered my Twitter question that evening, saying his cast is off and therapy is set to start Wednesday.

Agent Tony Matos recently reported that Gomez was  recuperating well at his Duarte home from surgery on his left heel Jan. 12. That surgery was, of course, necessitated by a mishap at Santa Anita on Jan. 8. “He’s doing well,” said Matos.

According to the Jockey Guild website, Gomez' favorite sport is golf. He was expected to be away from racing four to six weeks after his surgery. Wonder how long it'll take to get back on number 1 tee?

Ever wonder why, when a connection says a horse is injured and will be out for two months, you usually don't see it again for at least six months? Wonder if Gomez will really be back in February? There's a bunch of trainers hoping for a Derby horse and a good jockey to take the mount.

Gomez is not the regular jockey for any of the horses on our Looking Good list at this point. He rode Out of Bounds to victory the Grade III Sham Stakes on Jan. 7, and trainer Eion Harty is on record hoping Gomez has a speedy recovery.

Googling Gomez

Just googling around, I found that the Arcadia Fire Department responded to Gomez' fall on Jan. 8. Here's their log entry.

"Jan. 8: At 2:15 p.m., Engine 106 and Rescue Ambulance 106 gave medical assistance to a fallen jockey at Santa Anita Park. Fire crews evaluated Garrett Gomez, who suffered from a fractured heel as he fell from his horse, Silver Summation. Paramedics placed him in full spinal precautions and transported him to a trauma center for additional evaluation and treatment."

Come to think of it, paramedics in the greater Los Angeles area probably have one of the world's most interesting jobs. Next to guys like Gomez.