Rispoli wins first Grade Two in North America, honored as Jockey of the Week

Leading North America in total stakes wins, Umberto Rispoli was voted Jockeys’ Guild Foundation Detox Jockey of the Week for Aug 17th-23rd. The award is voted on by a panel of experts for riding accomplishments by members of the Jockeys’ Guild, the organization which represents more than 950 riders in North America.
 
Since relocating to Southern California in December of 2019 for the Santa Anita Winter/Spring meet, Jockey Umberto Rispoli has gained the respect and trust of owners and trainers as he sits atop of the jockey’s standings in the elite riding colony at Del Mar.
 
In a stakes filled weekend at the seaside oval where the Turf Meets the Surf, Rispoli’s superb race riding talent was evident while capturing the $100,000 Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap in dominant fashion aboard Sneaking Out, a patient and well timed ride aboard Chaos Theory in the $100,000 Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap, and then guiding Red King to steal the $200,000 Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, earning a berth to the Breeders’ Cup.
 
In the Del Mar Handicap, a one mile and three eighths turf event, Rispoli was back in the irons aboard the San Juan Capistrano Stakes winner, Red King. The turf specialist who is being compared to Fernando “The Bull” Toro settled the six-year-old son of English Channel off the pace before making an early and decisive move while getting the jump on the favorite, resulting in a thrilling victory for trainer Phillip D’Amato.
 
The rider maintained a 33% win percentage and was in the money on 50% of his mounts. With eight wins, two seconds, and two thirds his earnings totaled $424,640.
 
The two-time champion jockey (2009-2010) in his native Italy also enjoyed a successful career in Europe and Hong Kong before his arrival to the United States.
 
Rispoli has won 86 of 415 mounts in North America and has earned $4,292,079.
 
Jockey of the Week is sponsored by Foundation Detox, removing the toxins that affect our equine athletes. For more information visit JockeyTalk360.com/FoundationDetox.
 
JockeyTalk360.com spotlights the riders across North America and around the world who may be the bravest, toughest, and most accomplished of all athletes. The Jockeys’ Guild Jockey of the Week is selected by a vote of representatives of TVG, America’s Best Racing, The Daily Racing Form, Equibase, Horse Racing Nation, The Jockeys’ Guild, The Paulick Report, The Thoroughbred Daily News, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, Thoroughbred Racing Associations, Turf Publicists of America and Racing Stats & Info on Twitter.