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Beloved Midwest Jockey J.J. Sunseri Succumbs To Injuries From Automobile Accident

He may have weighed 110 pounds – but most of that was his heart.

James “J.J.” Sunseri, 70, of Erlanger, Ky., born as Tito Libero Cavanti in Ascoli Piceno, Italy on May 4, 1950, passed away on Jan. 2, 2021, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Dec. 13, 2020.

Sunseri was adopted in the United States when he was thirteen by Joseph and Dorie (Osinski) Sunseri of Erie, Penn., who preceded him in death. He was a graduate of Erie Cathedral Prep High School in 1968. After high school, he spent a year at Penn State Behrend Campus where he found his passion for horses.

Sunseri spent his adult life as a professional jockey with nearly ten thousand Thoroughbred mounts over 45 years. He rode races in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, and Florida, entering the winner's circle 545 times. Sunseri also appeared in the movie “Dreamer” as the stunt jockey.

Sunseri received numerous awards over the course of his career including a Kentucky State Senate citation for his professional dedication. He was also a member of the Florence Elk Lodge #314 for 17 years serving in several capacities, including chaplain.

He was a great storyteller and dancer. He never forgot a birthday or special occasion for anyone in his huge extended family. He was always sending cards with underlines on the meanings he wished to emphasize. His love for his cousins and their children went beyond happiness. Mr. Santa is what he was! He gave love and smiles to all who knew him.

He is survived by his “Lady” Judith Costigan of Cincinnati OH, an uncle, and many aunts and cousins.

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Umberto Rispoli ‘So Excited’ To Pick Up Saudi Cup Mount on Max Player

Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli is living the American dream as he prepares for some choice rides at The Saudi Cup meeting.

The 32-year-old switched to California 14 months ago having enjoyed a fruitful spell in Hong Kong and success has followed him all the way to the West Coast of America. His first year in the states yielded more than $7 million in prize money and he currently lies second in Santa Anita's jockey standings after a sparkling start to 2021.

The only thing missing is a Grade 1 win to add to his top-level prizes collected in Italy, France, Japan and Hong Kong. He will attempt to add The Saudi Cup to his international haul of racing trophies when he rides Max Player in the world's most valuable race.

It will be his first ride for American Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and he is looking forward to partnering the 4-year-old, fifth in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness last year, in the meeting's glittering $20 million feature run over 1800m (1 1/8 miles) on Feb. 20.

Rispoli said: “I was so excited when I received the call. When I heard which horse I would be riding and for which trainer, I was like 'oh my goodness'.

“Max Player has run in some tough races, he always comes late. He looks like he needs a little something extra but he's getting more experienced.

“It would be a dream come true to win The Saudi Cup. I would be the happiest person in the world if I could win the race. This will be my first time in Saudi but the track is supposed to be very good. It's very exciting to both be riding over there and to be involved in the biggest race.”

Asmussen has also booked Rispoli to ride Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint runner-up Cowan in the $1.5million Saudi Derby, run on the dirt track over 1600m on the same day as The Saudi Cup.

Rispoli revealed: “I saw him at the Breeders' Cup and he ran a huge race. I got the impression you could go longer with him and he switches from the grass to the dirt. He was second on his first start back after the Breeders' Cup and he looks in fantastic order.

“He is the highest rated horse in the race and he might have a better chance than Max Player, but I have 100 per cent confidence in both of them.”

It would be fitting for Rispoli to grab a winner at The Saudi Cup meeting having impressed in some of the world's top races. He was twice champion jockey in Italy before enjoying plenty of success when based in France and then in the ultra-competitive racing scene in Hong Kong.

His move across the Pacific has been a roaring success and he just missed out on the jockeys' title at Del Mar's summer meet to Flavien Prat by a single winner.

Rispoli said: “Since I landed here it feels like home. It's a new challenge and a new chapter for me. If anybody would have told me it would go this way, I wouldn't have believed them.

“I've had great support from nice people and nice owners. The lifestyle is fantastic and since I've been riding here, I've been doing well. The numbers last year were unbelievable, some of the best of my career.

“Del Mar helps me a lot so I'm glad the Breeders' Cup is here this year. I love the place and I couldn't feel happier. I'm really excited about my second season, excited like a kid.

“I learned a lot in Hong Kong, you need a strong personality to succeed, but my time there was done. I am ambitious and one day I want to win an Eclipse Award. To do that I may have to move to the East Coast one day.”

Rispoli is clearly loving life in California but he does admit that racing in the state is going through a tricky period with a crackdown affecting trainers and jockeys.

He added: “In California things are very difficult at the moment. The trainers have a lot of restrictions for Lasix and the jockeys have whip restrictions. It's tough and I hope this isn't going to push the riders away. The fines are very high and you get banned quite easily so you end up missing a week.”

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Trainer Val Brinkerhoff Suffers Minor Injuries In Pre-Race Incident With Restrainedvengence

Veteran trainer Val Brinkerhoff suffered minor injuries in a pre-race incident with stable star Restrainedvengence on Saturday, reports the Daily Racing Form. The 6-year-old gelding was entered in the afternoon's G3 Thunder Road Stakes at Santa Anita Park, but was scratched after he reacted poorly to a pre-race blood draw and sent his trainer to the hospital.

Brinkerhoff, 64, said he was transported to the hospital because he takes blood thinners and doctors wanted to be sure he hadn't suffered internal bleeding. He was diagnosed with a cracked elbow, broken finger, and separated shoulder.

“I was more worried about my horse,” Brinkerhoff told drf.com. “He just don't like that needle. When he blows up, you might as well forget it.”

Keeneland Names Gatewood Bell Vice President Of Racing

Prominent Central Kentucky horseman and noted bloodstock adviser Gatewood Bell will join the Keeneland as Vice President of Racing later this month.

Bell in 2011 founded Cromwell Bloodstock, a respected full-service bloodstock agency and consulting firm named after a company owned by his grandfather, John A. Bell, and has served as its president for the past decade. Known for his keen eye for spotting potential, Bell, under the Cromwell Bloodstock and Hat Creek Racing banners, has purchased millions of dollars' worth of horses at public auction – led by Grade/Group 1 winners Undrafted, Hootenanny, Mastery and Con Te Partiro – for a diverse clientele that includes top stud farms, owners and trainers. Bell's record of success consistently ranks Cromwell among the top North American buyers of yearlings by stakes winners as compiled by BloodHorse MarketWatch.

Bell is also a member of The Jockey Club and previously served on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and as the U.S. representative for Goffs Sales of Ireland.

Last October, Bell was named to Keeneland's Board of Directors as an Advisory Board member, a position he will relinquish upon his employment. Bell is the third generation of his family to serve Keeneland as a Director, following his father, Jimmy Bell, president of Godolphin USA, and grandfather, the late John A. Bell, founder of Jonabell Farm in Lexington. Like his father and grandfather, the younger Bell has been actively involved at Keeneland as both a racehorse owner and sales participant.

“Gatewood brings a unique set of skills and experiences encompassing aspects of both the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industries to the role of Vice President of Racing,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “His passion for, and knowledge of, racing were honed in the trenches on his family's farm and at the track, and in recent years as a bloodstock adviser. The range of Gatewood's talents and his network of relationships with owners and trainers are well suited to help Keeneland navigate the future landscape of racing.”

Raised on his family's Jonabell Farm, Bell received a finance degree with honors from the University of Kentucky in 2004. After graduation, he worked for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin for three seasons in Florida, Kentucky and New York. During this time, McLaughlin campaigned Hall of Famer Invasor (ARG) and Belmont (G1) winner Jazil. Bell also represented multiple Grade 1 winning-jockey Fernando Jara as an agent on the East Coast.

“I have great respect and appreciation for what the Keeneland name and its history mean to its stakeholders: horsemen, horseplayers, fans, local community and the global industry,” Bell said. “Keeneland is a very special place. I grew up coming to the races there and it is where I fell in love with the game.

“I am excited about Keeneland's future and the opportunity to be a part of it,” he added. “This place represents all that is good about our sport, and I look forward to working together with our horsemen to ensure Keeneland continues to deliver the highest quality and safest racing product in the world.”

Gatewood and his wife, Lauren, along with their children, Eloise (10), Daisy (7) and Gus (6), reside in Lexington.

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