Report: Rispoli to Resume Riding in California

After struggling to gain traction in Kentucky, jockey Umberto Rispoli is returning to California to ride.

The Italian-born rider, among California's leaders before his departure to Kentucky this spring, is booked to ride two horses May 22 at Santa Anita Park. He rides May 20-21 at Churchill Downs.

Rispoli told Daily Racing Form, which initially reported his return to California, that he didn't receive as many opportunities as he hoped. He added the move will return him to his family, who remained this spring in California.

Rispoli went 0-2-3 with 19 rides at Keeneland, and he entered the Friday program at Churchill Downs 0-1-2 from 17 mounts at the Louisville track. He rode Smooth Like Strait  and Desert Dawn  to show finishes in grade 1 action in Kentucky this spring.

The spring months in Kentucky are among the most competitive for jockeys when out-of-town riders deepen the regular jockey colony through roughly the time of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) in early May.

Though Rispoli has not ridden in California since April 10, he remains seventh in the standings at Santa Anita with 27 victories during its ongoing winter/spring meet that began Dec. 26.

His return to Santa Anita comes at a time when Juan Hernandez has become the track's dominant rider following Flavien Prat's decision to head east this spring. Hall of Famer John Velazquez has also departed California after riding there during the winter.