Rispoli gets off to hot start, seeks to maintain momentum

Jockey Umberto Rispoli’s three-day introduction to Del Mar last weekend included repeated trips to a makeshift winner’s circle, twice after stakes, and the satisfaction of holding an early lead in the jockey standings.

Rispoli, who relocated from Hong Kong last December, won seven races to boost his total for the year to 57.

What was missing was an appreciative audience getting to know the new guy. The tales Rispoli heard of riding at Del Mar before an enthusiastic crowd remain just that – stories that must be confirmed in person at a later time.

“Of course, it’s not what you expect,” he reflected Tuesday afternoon. “When you talk about opening day at Del Mar, it’s in front of 30,000 people. Now it’s with nobody.

“We are used to racing for four months without people and we live with that. It’s sad. Owners can’t come to the track and enjoy what they are paying for. At the same time, we are glad we still get support from them and the business goes on.”

Rispoli, 31, rode 50 winners from 266 mounts at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting from late December to June 21, with greater success before racing was halted by government officials in late March because of the pandemic.

Rispoli won 36 races from 166 mounts from late December to late March. When racing resumed for six weeks in mid-May, Rispoli finished the meeting with 14 wins from 106 mounts. He won with 21 percent of his mounts before the pause in racing and with 13 percent in the final weeks of the season.

From December to March, Rispoli was represented by Ron Anderson, who moved to the East Coast in early spring.

Anderson guided Rispoli through his relocation from Hong Kong. When racing resumed, Rispoli had a new agent in Scotty McClellan, who had previously represented Joe Talamo until his departure to the Midwest in January.

“I had to start from zero a bit,” Rispoli said of changing agents. “It was definitely quiet, very quiet. The important thing is it’s all about tomorrow.

“You show them you have a month of quiet [and] as soon as you have a chance again, you’re riding your best and you’re back in a position before the lockdown.

“Experience helps the situation. I had bad times in Hong Kong. I’m not going to let myself down.”

Last weekend, Rispoli won the Runhappy Oceanside Stakes for 3-year-olds on turf on the promising Hit the Road and the Osunitas Stakes for fillies and mares on turf on Cordiality.

Strong handle opening week

Del Mar had an 18 percent increase in all-sources handle on opening weekend when compared to similar days on the corresponding weekend of the 2019 summer meeting, track president Josh Rubinstein said Tuesday.

“We averaged over $17 million a day,” Rubinstein said. “We were pleased with the results. ”

Fields averaged 8.17 runners for each of the 30 races over the three days compared to 7.86 runners in 43 races over five days on opening week in 2019.

The bulk of the handle came from account-wagering sources, with smaller amounts from ontrack and satellite wagering. Del Mar is racing without spectators because of the coronavirus outbreak, with ontrack attendance limited to trainers and essential employees.

Rubinstein said track officials are “still hopeful” owners will be allowed to attend races at some point.

“We’re not giving up,” he said. “Without them spending money in the industry, there is no sport. We’re trying.”

BENOIT PHOTO Jockey Umberto Rispoli won a pair of stakes during the first week of the Del Mar meet and sits atop the rider standings.