Champion rider nearing Woodbine return

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Award winning jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson is less than a week away from resuming riding at Woodbine Race Course. The 29-year-old rider has been away from the races since suffering a major injury three months ago.

"It's been far too long," said Wilson. "But it was necessary. I wish I could personally thank each and every fan for all of their support and concern. I'm very grateful for that."

Wilson's liver was lacerated when she was unseated from her mount at Woodbine during a race on August 21.

The winner of 770 lifetime races, Wilson won the 2005 Eclipse Award as the outstanding apprentice jockey in North America and was Canada's champion apprentice rider for both 2005 and 2006.

Wilson, who has won 41 career stakes races, captured the 2007 Queen's Plate aboard the three-year-old Mike Fox.

The Ontario-native is looking to return riding at Woodbine on Wednesday, November 17.

"We're taking calls for Wednesday, it's all systems go," said Wilson's jockey agent Mike Luider. "She breezed four horses this morning (Thursday) and she's looking forward to getting back to what she loves doing."