Rispoli set to return to riding after spill

Jockey Umberto Rispoli is set to return to riding at Del Mar on Friday, slightly more than a week after he was unseated when his mount clipped heels in early stretch of a race on Aug. 31.

Rispoli, who turned 35 on Aug. 31, is booked to ride six of the eight races on Friday’s program, and eight of the 11 races on Saturday, including all three stakes.

Rispoli escaped serious injury when he was unseated. He was briefly hospitalized that afternoon for tests, and did not ride through Labor Day weekend.

:: DRF's 2023 Del Mar headquarters: Previews, past performances, picks, recaps, news, and more.

“I worked two horses this morning,” Rispoli said late Thursday morning. “I feel way better than last week and more ready to go.

“I’ll spend the day home and resting. I’ll try to be ready for tomorrow.”

Through Wednesday, Rispoli ranked fourth in the jockey standings with 20 wins, trailing Juan Hernandez (34), Antonio Fresu (31), and Hector Berrios (22).

Rispoli has a chance to catch Berrios before the summer meeting ends on Sunday, but needs a good weekend to hold off Edwin Maldonado and Ramon Vazquez, who have won 19 and 18 races.

After Sunday, Rispoli plans to ride sparingly, if at all, before the Santa Anita autumn meeting begins a six-week season from Sept. 29 through Nov. 5.

“The key is to finish the meet pretty good and rest,” Rispoli said. “If there is a nice horse to ride, I’ll go ride. The plan is to rest.”

Los Alamitos has a two-week September meeting beginning on Sept. 15 through Sept. 24.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.