Umberto Rispoli has left no doubt that he is back to riding in top form after an accident in January at Gulfstream Park that kept him sidelined for more than five months. Known as an exceptional turf rider, Rispoli posted wins in two grass stakes races, the Green Flash Handicap (G2T) and the Del Mar Mile (G2T) on Pacific Classic Day at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.
The panel of racing experts voted Rispoli Jockey of the Week for August 17-August 23.
Rispoli, 37, was at Gulfstream Park on January 24 for Pegasus World Cup Day when his mount, Unconquerable Keen stumbled in the stretch of the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint. Rispoli was unseated and suffered a fractured ankle, tibia and fibula requiring multiple surgeries before the road to return to riding could even begin.
Showing great determination, Rispoli was back in the irons with limited mounts in late June after months of rehab. He won with his first ride back for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert on June 27 at Los Alamitos.
Rispoli then had his sights set on returning to ride full time at the Del Mar meet which began July 17. Rispoli won the San Diego Handicap (G2) on July 25 with 2025 Preakness hero Journalism.
On Saturday, trainer Phil D'Amato gave a leg up to Rispoli aboard Sorrento Sky in the Green Flash Handicap (G2T). Off at odds of 7-1 and breaking from the outside in the field of eight, Sorrento Sky trailed until the far turn when Rispoli gave the 5-year-old gelding his cue taking control at the sixteenth pole to win by a length in :56.12 for five furlongs.
"It was a little bit of a sacrifice with the draw because I knew he could break really well and I had to take him all the way back to try to save some ground," Rispoli said to Del Mar publicity. "Fortunately, it paid off. Today he really came down with a nice turn of foot and ran them all down."
Riding again for D'Amato, Rispoli was in the irons aboard King of Gosford (GB) in the Del Mar Mile (G2T). Sent off at odds of 5-1 as the fourth choice in the field of 11, King of Gosford settled just off the pace. On the far turn, King of Gosford took aim at the leader El Potente and got up to win by a head in 1:34.22. It was Rispoli's third win of the day after winning the sixth race for trainer Jena Antonucci.
"I had a very good trip; that was the type of trip I wanted to have before the race," said Rispoli who was riding the English-bred for his second consecutive victory. 'I was very happy with my trip and what a nice beautiful day."
"I am very happy to have won three races (on Saturday)," Rispoli continued. "I have been working hard to get back after having some time off from my injury."
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Junior Alvarado who won the Pacific Classic (G1) and the Del Mar Oaks (G1), Manny Franco who won the Alabama (G1), Kyle Frey who won the Del Mar Derby (G2) and Luis Saez who recorded his 4,000th North American win.
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