Rispoli's Big Jeff Ruby Day Included 2,000th Winner

It was a monumental day for jockey Umberto Rispoli at Turfway Park March 23. Not only did he secure the grand prize, the $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) with Endlessly , but he also earned his 2,000th victory in the saddle.

The win came aboard Graham Motion-trained 3-year-old colt Trikari , who like Endlessly is owned by Amerman Racing, in the $249,670 Rushaway Stakes just four races earlier.

Rispoli won back-to-back leading rider championships in his native Italy from 2009-10. In 2016, he started riding in Hong Kong full-time but suffered several injuries and, overall, felt a lack of loyalty from horsemen.

"I've been through a tough situation, a tough period for me," Rispoli said.

Rispoli moved his tack to Southern California in 2020 and has won 466 races in the U.S.

"I'm glad I accomplished (2,000 wins) on such an important day," Rispoli said. "I found out my family was preparing something for me at home. I had a chat with my wife after the race and my kids were very happy. They showed what they prepared for me. That's huge to be a dad and be a hero for them, it's fantastic."

It didn't take long to accomplish win 2,001 with Endlessy impressively running away from the competition in the Jeff Ruby.

"The road to 3,000 has just started," Rispoli said.