Kimura to ride in California again for winter

Kazushi Kimura, the leading rider at the current Woodbine meeting near Toronto, will spend a second consecutive winter at Santa Anita, according to his new agent, Brian Beach.

Kimura will begin riding in California on Dec. 26, the opening day of the Santa Anita meeting. Woodbine’s meeting ends on Dec. 17.

Through Thursday, Kimura was the clear leader at Woodbine with 144 wins, 26 more than second-place Sahin Civaci. Kimura won riding titles at Woodbine in 2021 and 2022.

Kimura, 24, began riding in 2018 and had 811 wins through Thursday. He was honored with the Sovereign Award as Canada’s leading apprentice in 2018.

At Santa Anita earlier this year, Kimura won 12 races from 132 mounts, including the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile on Gold Phoenix. At the current Woodbine meeting, Kimura has won 15 stakes.

Rispoli suspended

Jockey Umberto Rispoli, who through Thursday was tied for fourth in the standings at the Del Mar autumn meeting, has been suspended three days for causing interference in a race on Nov. 18.

Rispoli was cited for his ride on Petcoff who was disqualified from third to seventh for altering course without clearance, according to a ruling published on Nov. 19 by track stewards.

Rispoli’s suspension covers Sunday’s program as well as racing on Dec. 1-2.

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