Tag: People

Umberto Rispoli Celebrates 32nd Birthday With Three-Win Day At Del Mar

Del Mar newcomer Umberto Rispoli continued his torrid riding at the shore oval Monday, capturing three more races including the 8th Race allowance feature on the make-up card. The fact that it was the Italian ace's 32nd birthday just made it a bit more sweet for the track's leading rider.

Rispoli saved ground with Little Red Feather and Naify's Scarto in the mile and one-sixteenth turf race, then fired the gelded son of Paynter through a hole inside and drew clear late for a three-quarter length victory. They covered the mile and one-sixteenth in 1:40.62.

Finishing second was Peter Redekop B.C.'s Ajourneytofreedom and third was Hronis Racing's Tripoli.

The winner paid $4.40, $2.80 and $2.60 across the board as the favorite in the 3-year-old test.

The race was marred by an incident on the far turn when jockey Brice Blanc and his mount, Higher Power, ran up on the heels of a horse in front of them and fell. The rider was taken to Scripps La Jolla Hospital for evaluation, while the horse was given a ride back to his barn where the report was that he was only suffering from minor cuts on his legs.

Rispoli now has 42 winners in 23 days of racing at the track's 81st summer meet. He is one winner ahead of Del Mar three-time riding champion Flavien Prat with a stirring four-day finish to the meet looming next weekend.

The day's Pick Six was captured by a single bettor who was paid off with a hefty $686,660 for his/her sweep. The player invested $36,722 in the pool to come up with their winning ticket.

Racing returns to Del Mar Friday with a nine-race card starting at 2 p.m.

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After COVID-19 Recovery, Lukas Urges Others: Don’t Get Complacent With This Virus

At the age of 85, trainer D. Wayne Lukas told reporters at Churchill Downs this week he thinks he was already pretty good at appreciating each day in the barn, but a recent bout of COVID-19 has made him even more thankful to be there.

Lukas recently tested negative and returned to work after what he estimates was 15 to 20 days away from the barn – a major departure for a trainer who prides himself on being out on the pony before the sun is up each day. The Hall of Famer said that he went to the hospital after feeling ill and was initially told it was unlikely he had the novel coronavirus. The hospital sent him home. A few hours later, someone at the facility called and told him his test had come back positive. By then, Lukas already suspected that was the case.

Lukas said he struggled mightily to breathe, experienced gastrointestinal symptoms, and felt extremely weak. He did not experience joint aches and pains or lose his sense of smell and taste, as is commonly reported among those with mild cases.

“It affects everybody differently,” Lukas said. “It affected me very strongly. I got really sick.

“I don't think we really know a lot about it. even the medical people I think are still learning. That's going to make the vaccine, if we get it, it's going to be more difficult I think because I don't think they've got a good handle on it.”

At times, he said he faded in and out of consciousness.

“I felt like I was drifting away,” he recalled. “You just wish you could get one breath of air.”

Strangely, Lukas said his wife Laurie tested negative for COVID-19, despite being in close proximity to him throughout his illness. He also knows of others who have tested positive but never had symptoms.

Lukas said he has no idea how he picked up the virus, as he has strictly followed social distancing protocols at work each day and has refrained from going out to restaurants. When he's out at morning training, Lukas is usually on his pony, which creates an automatic six-foot perimeter around him, so he thought he had been sufficiently careful.

When he did begin to feel better, Lukas said he still kept away from his barn a few extra days to avoid transmitting the virus to his staff. Now, he said his energy levels are finally back where they should be.

As masking and distancing requirements drag on more than six months after the pandemic began, Lukas said he wants fans to know that although it's easy to get weary and less careful, it's important to continue doing everything they can to avoid transmitting COVID-19 to others.

“I just think people should not take it for granted or get complacent,” he said. “I'd keep my distance, wear my mask. I wouldn't tempt fate. I wouldn't give it a chance in any way, shape or form. If I could say one thing to people, I see people taking it lightly and I think that's a mistake, whether you're my age or 20.”

Thanks to the National Turfwriters and Broadcasters Association (NTWAB), which has assembled a group of pool reporters providing independent reporting to members unable to be on the Churchill Downs grounds this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

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Rider Reflections: Jockeys Miss Fans, Morning Workouts In Unusual Del Mar Season

The summer of racing at Del Mar in 2020 has been, to put it mildly, unlike any other.

Jockeys, for example, have done their jobs wearing the mandatory accessory of a face mask in addition to the customary helmet, goggles and safety vest. That said, they're still working at Del Mar, a place unlike any other.

So, out of curiosity, a number of the members of Del Mar's colony were asked two questions: 1.) What has been the toughest part of being at Del Mar this summer? And 2.) What has been your favorite part of being at Del Mar this summer?

The answers, in alphabetical order.

BRICE BLANC – Toughest: “The first two weeks around here, when we were dealing with some of our riders and the COVID, was worrying. But since then, things are better. But you've got to deal with all the things surrounding our situation. You've got to be adapting all the time. What's difficult for me is to ride with the mask. I had broken my nose years back and have some sinus issues, so I do my share of breathing through my mouth. It's hard to breathe through your mouth with a mask. But we adapt. Most of the stuff is minor.”

Favorite:  “The usual here at Del Mar. It's just a great place to be. It is one of my favorite summertime places to go racing. Deauville (in France) and Saratoga (in New York) and Del Mar. They're the big three of summer locations. It's very different at Del Mar this year without people; sort of like we're naked. But it's still Del Mar and that's a good thing.”

ABEL CEDILLO – Toughest:  “The whole coronavirus situation. Dealing with all the things we have to deal with. We all do it, though, so you do it. Tougher might be dealing with the horses. Some of them run, some of them don't. Sometimes they have a bad day. But I try my best every time and hope for the best.”

Favorite:  “I think my favorite down here is the beach. My little boy loves the ocean and I love taking him down there for walks. We really enjoy Del Mar for that.”

VICTOR ESPINOZA – Toughest:  “Dealing with the coronavirus business. I missed opening day at Del Mar because of it. I missed opening day! I never thought it would happen, but it did this year. That was hard.”

Favorite:  “Everything about Del Mar. It's where I want to be. It's why I come to the races. Everything I want is here. It is just great to win races at Del Mar.”

RUBEN FUENTES – Toughest: “For me, it was not being able to work horses in the morning. That was very tough, not being able to get to know them and get to understand them a little before they raced, especially with the 2-year-olds.”

Favorite: “We got to run. We're very lucky to have a job and be working. A lot of people don't right now.”

RICKY GONZALEZ – Toughest: “Not being able to work horses.”

Favorite: “Winning and meeting new people.”

MARIO GUTIERREZ — Toughest:  “I don't think there's anything tough about riding here. Same racetrack; same gate; same horses to ride. It's all good. I'm happy to be here and racing.”

Favorite:  “I'm glad to be racing and having the chance to compete and make some money. I'm very happy that the people on the backside are able to work and take care of their families. Racing at Del Mar is a good thing.”

JUAN HERNANDEZ — Toughest:  “The toughest part for me has been keeping up with the competition. It's tough here. I was here in 2012 and it's a much different room. Very competitive. And, of course, the whole business of 2020. Everyone feels that. But what are you going to do? You follow the rules and hope for better times.”

Favorite:  “My favorite part of being here is the incredible horses. I've been riding some very good horses. And I'm enjoying being around these other riders. They're friendly and they're very good, so it's giving me a chance to learn from them.”

TIAGO PEREIRA – Toughest: “Dealing with all the virus issues. Being careful about everything. I take showers before and after everything. I have a 4-year-old daughter and I must be very careful around her. We all have to do it; the masks, all of it. But that's how it is.”

Favorite:  “I like being at Del Mar and riding here. One of my favorite places. I like the beach for my daughter. We go down there during the week and play. She likes the ocean. We go up to the quite section, up above Dog Beach. Not many people up there and we can just have fun.”

FLAVIEN PRAT – Toughest: “I definitely miss the fans. Del Mar has always been all about having people around having fun. It's kind of sad not to see anybody.”

Favorite: “Just being able to ride, have a job and do something we love to do. There's a lot of people who can't right now.”

UMBERTO RISPOLI – Toughest: “I can't share all the winners and the good meeting with owners, fans and family.”

Favorite: “Enjoying the summer, the beach and good times with my family and friends and having the chance to win a lot of races.”

MIKE SMITH – Toughest:  “I think the toughest overall has not been seeing any fans here. Del Mar is a social place. A place where people come to party and have fun. Not this year. It's sad. It kind of takes the gas out of your balloon. For me personally, the protocols (travel restrictions for riders) have been tough. I'm a 'traveling' jock. I'd have been at Saratoga several times already. I think the protocols have probably cost me three Grade Is.”

Favorite:  “My favorite part is just being here. I love Del Mar. I want to end my career here. I love California and I especially love Del Mar.”

DRAYDEN VAN DYKE – Toughest:  “Having to be part of 2020 and the whole coronavirus thing. Plus all the other stuff going on in the country right now. The Black Lives Matter thing. It's a very unsettled time for the country. It's hard for a lot of people.”

Favorite:  “My favorite part of being at Del Mar is being at Del Mar. Right here 'where the turf meets the surf.' I've been riding some good horses and winning some big races. What's not to like about it all. How can you have a frown on your face when you're in San Diego?”

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‘The MLB Of Racing’: Venezuelan Native Camacho Living The Dream With 2020 Derby Mount

Samy Camacho left Venezuela in 2012 to chase a dream – a dream that will become very real when he rides Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner King Guillermo in Saturday's Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.

“This is the dream for every jockey in my country – to ride in the United States. This is the MLB of racing. When you're here, that's your dream – to ride the big races and ride in the Kentucky Derby,” Camacho said. “That was my dream. I never thought I'd ever ride in the Kentucky Derby, and when I won Tampa Bay Derby, I said, 'Wow!'”

Camacho, among the leading riders during the Spring/Summer Meet at Gulfstream Park, shares a dream of participating in the Kentucky Derby with fellow Venezuelan natives Victor Martinez and Juan Carlos Avila, King Guillermo's owner and trainer, respectively.

Martinez lived his boyhood dream during 16 Major League Baseball seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians as a catcher, first-baseman and designated hitter, making five All-Star appearances. Martinez, who retired from baseball in 2018, has turned to raising cattle at his 2,500-acre ranch in Okeechobee, FL and owning a few racehorses, most notably King Guillermo, who is trained by Gulfstream-based Avila, who won nine titles and more than 3,000 races in Venezuela before venturing to South Florida in 2018.

“The owner, Victor Martinez, I have a good relationship with him. He's a really nice guy. He has a lot of class. He's humble. He's amazing,” the married father of three said. “Thanks to God for letting me ride in the Derby. Thanks to Victor Martinez, the owner, and the trainer, Juan Carlos Avila, for giving me this big opportunity.”

The son of a jockey, Camacho began his career at La Rinconada in Caracas, Venezuela after attending the country's jockey school and moved on to the U.S. at the end of 2011. He won 32 races in 2012 as an apprentice while riding at Calder Race Course (now Gulfstream Park West) and several mid-Atlantic racetracks. He returned to Venezuela in 2013 before resuming his dream job in the U.S., riding at Tampa Bay Downs at the tail end of 2015.

The 33-year-old journeyman has ridden with success at both Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, winning more than 650 aces over the past five years – none more rewarding than King Guillermo's 4 ¾-length victory in the Tampa Bay Derby March 7.

“I'm so happy. It's so exciting what is happening with my career. I'm ready,” said Camacho, who also guided King Guillermo to a second-place finish behind Nadal in the May 2 Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park. “My horse has been working great at Churchill.”

Camacho will spend Derby Week at Churchill Downs as required under Covid-19 protocols.

“I'll try to take some mounts beginning Sept. 1 to ride before the Derby,” he said. “I want to get to know the track.”

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