Stevens recovering from knee replacement surgery

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens is spending time at Del Mar Racetrack as he continues his recovery from knee replacement surgery.

Three weeks ago Stevens had his right knee replaced just over 18 months after he came back from retirement.

"I'm no different than anyone else. They said the first two weeks (after surgery) would be hell, and they were," Stevens said. "But I've gotten rid of my cane, I'm walking and driving again and that's the main thing."

The 51-year-old jockey had problems with his knees previously, which forced him to retire for seven years from 2005 to 2013. He returned to riding full- time just before his 50th birthday in January 2013. Knee problems also forced Stevens to take time off in 1999-2000.

Last year, Stevens won the Preakness Stakes with Oxbow and the Breeders' Cup Classic aboard Mucho Macho Man. He has 4,988 wins and $236,951,490 in career earnings.