Santa Anita's paddock hero Shear returns to work

Longtime paddock guard John Shear, who was seriously injured while protecting

a young girl from a loose horse on March 12, was a Santa Anita press box visitor

Thursday and informed that he would be back in action on opening day. As a

result of his heroic act, Shear has been honored by the cities of Arcadia and

Sierra Madre.

"My doctor said I'm OK to come back to work," said Shear, who will turn 91 on

January 17. "I'll be back at my same job, which is Paddock Supervisor. I've been

doing a lot of physical therapy and I can't wait to get back to work, to see all

the people."

Shear, a former hot walker, groom, exercise rider and trainer, has been

employed seasonally at Santa Anita since December 23, 1961.

"At that time, I was working in the parking lot, but I wanted to be around

the people and the horses," said the English native.

Shear, who suffered multiple fractures, including a broken pelvis, as well as

life-threatening internal bleeding, has been exercising regularly at a local

gym, readying for a comeback.

"I've been going three days a week and I'm doing a lot of back and leg

stretches. I'm also doing 10 pound curls with each arm and except for my left

knee, I think I'm 100 percent"

When asked what he's missed most during his period of convalescence, Shear

was quick to respond.

"I've missed the people the most. Just talking to everyone. I have people

come up and they say they can't believe I'm still here, that they remember me

from when they used to come to the races with their parents or grandparents.

"I miss the camaraderie of being around the jockeys and everyone who works

here. I love Santa Anita and I love coming to work here," Shear added.

"John is a fabulous person and a great employee," Santa Anita President

George Haines said. "Having him back with us on opening day, after all that he's

been through, is a dream come true and we know there are many, many people who

are looking forward to seeing him back at work."

As he marks his 50th anniversary working at The Great Race Place, Shear

admits that his family would like him to call it a career.

"My wife and my son both want me to retire," Shear said. "But what am I going

to do? I'm not going to just sit home and look at four walls. I told my family

that I'm not on any timetable. I'm taking each year as it comes and I'll see how

I feel.

"Right now, I can't wait for Monday, it's going to be special."

First post time on Monday is 12 noon. For more information or to make dining

or seating reservations, go to

www.santaanita.com, or

call (626) 574-RACE.