Jockey Samyn returns a winner losing 2 fingers
April 15, 2011NEW YORK (AP) - Jockey Jean-Luc Samyn has returned to riding after being sidelined for nearly two months when he lost two fingers in a snowblower accident.
Samyn won the third race at Aqueduct on Friday aboard Belong to Sheila, who paid $14 to win. He won his last race before to the accident on Feb. 21.
The 54-year-old rider was unclogging the blower with the power off when the blade moved. Two-thirds of the index and middle fingers on his right hand were cut off, with the ring finger broken.
Samyn says he stayed in shape by running and swimming. He returned to galloping horses this month and has switched his whip to his left hand.
The Frenchman has won 2,612 races in his 36-year career, with more than 110 stakes victories in New York.