Del Mar: Rispoli expects to return Friday after stretch spill

Suffering a hard spill and getting stepped on by a horse doesn’t stop jockey Umberto Rispoli from making his rounds a few days later.

The 35-year-old was in the barn area Sunday morning talking with trainers and schmoozing with fellow riders, three days after suffering a spill that led to Rispoli getting carted off the turf course on a stretcher, lifted into an ambulance and transported to the hospital.

Although he didn’t break any bones, he was body sore, especially on his thigh where a trailing horse got him as he rolled on the grass and scrambled to get out of the way.

Rispoli initially thought he’d be back in the saddle by Saturday to ride his mounts on the highly lucrative Pacific Classic Day card. But he woke up Saturday and determined he couldn’t go and took off his mounts for the entire weekend.

“I tried to comeback but the impact (of the spill) was too much,” Rispoli says. “It was sad to be on the sideline, but I only think it was fair to the people I ride for that if I don’t feel 100 percent, I can’t ride their horses.”

Only one of Rispoli’s would-be mounts won Saturday. Motorious took the win-and-you’re-in Green Flash (G3). Two more mounts Rispoli took off on Sunday found the winner’s circle.

It’s the aches and pains of being a jockey, which Rispoli knows all too well.

“I fractured my collarbone on a Friday and I was back riding the next Saturday,” Rispoli says. “I tore my ACL and I was back in nine weeks, so I’ve done something crazy before.”

Rispoli is now pointing to a return to racing by closing week at Del Mar.

“I’ll probably be back by Friday,” Rispoli says. “I will do everything to try and get back by then. If I feel fine I will. If I don’t, I’ll take my time and take it easy. No point to press.”

Rispoli currently is fourth in the Del Mar jockey standings with 20 wins.