Italian native Umberto Rispoli won his first American classic, May 17, guiding Journalism to victory in a roughly contested Preakness Stakes (G1), the second jewel in the Triple Crown, and was named Jockey of the Week by the Jockeys' Guild for May 12 through May 18.
The weekly honor, determined by votes, recognizes jockeys for significant riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired, and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
Off as the even-money favorite in the Preakness, Journalism rallied to catch Gosger after Journalism and Goal Orientedexchanged bumps in early stretch, contact that led Journalism to bump tiring leader Clever Again on the inside.
Besides winning the Preakness, Rispoli won the Gallorette Stakes (G3T) aboard Charlene's Dream for trainer Ed Moger Jr.
Other contenders for Jockey of the Week include Elvin Gonzalez who won the most races for the week with 11, Flavien Prat with three stakes wins including the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) aboard Margie's Intention, Luis Saez who won the Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) on Echo Sound, and Hall of Famer John Velazquez who won two stakes including the Pimlico Special (G3) aboard Awesome Aaron.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
