Fast-Healing Napravnik Nearly Set to Return
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Jockey Rosie Napravnik said July 5 that she plans to resume riding in a week's time, marking a swift return from a shoulder injury suffered last month.
Napravnik took an important step Saturday at Belmont Park, exercising five horses for trainer Mike Maker. It's was the popular 26-year-old rider's first time in the saddle since separating her shoulder after a workout spill at Churchill Downs June 16.
Joe Sharp, Napravnik's husband, is the assistant trainer supervising Maker's New York division.
"Feeling good after breezing five this morning," Napravnik said in a Twitter message. "First day back at the track."
Even with lost time because of the injury, the 26-year-old Napravnik still ranks eighth nationally in purse earnings with nearly $6.4 million. She is 11th in wins with 125 while compiling a 23% strike rate.
Her biggest victory this season was aboard Untapable in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) May 2. She also won the Humana Distaff (gr. I) aboard Midnight Lucky a day later at Churchill on the Kentucky Derby undercard. On the year, Napravnik has won 21 stakes wins, 10 of them graded.