Napravnik Rides at Santa Anita Saturday

Photo: Eclipse Sportswire

Rosie Napravnik, the nation’s leading rider in terms of wins with 72 through March 12, returns to Santa Anita Saturday for the first time since last November to ride Joyful Victory in the Santa Margarita Stakes.

Napravnik, who turned 25 on Feb. 9, rode 2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion Shanghai Bobby to victory in last year’s race at Santa Anita on Nov. 3.

The daughter of a horseshoer and a show horse trainer, she has been around horses all her life. In 2005, she obtained her jockey’s license and since has been among or at the top of riders in Maryland racing and the top female rider in the United States.

After a close second in the 2011 Kentucky Oaks, she became the first female jockey to win the race in 2012, riding Believe You Can for Larry Jones, who also conditions Joyful Victory.

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