Rispoli Changes Plans, Will Now Ride in Kentucky
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Jockey Umberto Rispoli on Chewing Gum after winning the Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Jockey Umberto Rispoli has confirmed via Twitter that he will be riding in Kentucky this spring instead of New York.
Rispoli originally planned to ride in New York but said after discussing the situation with his new agent Mike Sellitto, he decided to change locales.
According to a tweet by Daily Racing Form's David Grening, Rispoli will begin riding at the upcoming Keeneland meet April 13 and then move over to Churchill Downs followed by a stint at Saratoga Race Course.
When and if he rides in New York, Rispoli will face an uphill struggle for mounts amongst a jockey colony that is expected to include Irad Ortiz Jr., Jose Ortiz, Luis Saez, Flavien Prat, John Velazquez, Javier Castellano and top year-round riders such as Dylan Davis, Trevor McCarthy, Kendrick Carmouche, and Manny Franco.
While based at Santa Anita this year, Rispoli has 22 wins from 149 starts for a 15% win rate.
He moved his tack to the United States in 2020 and according to Equibase, has 1,514 mounts with 278 wins (18%) with earnings of $19.1 million and three grade 1 wins in North America.
Born in Italy, the much-traveled Rispoli has also ridden in Italy, France, England, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Japan, South Africa, and Mauritius.