Rispoli’s wild ride aboard Journalism makes him the first Italian jockey to win a Triple Crown race

BALTIMORE (AP) — Umberto Rispoli took quite a path to make history.

Rispoli became the first jockey from Italy to win a Triple Crown race Saturday, squeezing between horses around the top of the stretch and then riding Journalism to a tremendous rally in the stretch run of the Preakness.

Rispoli’s colt was the even-money favorite, but this was no easy trip. He kept Journalism near the rail, which saved ground but forced him to slip between Goal Oriented and Clever Again — with no shortage of contact — before he could even begin making a run at 15-1 shot Gosger.

“I got in trouble at the quarter pole and, look, he make himself keep going,” said Rispoli, who came over from Italy in 2020. “It’s all about him. It’s a privilege to ride a horse like him.”

Journalism’s win brought to mind Afleet Alex’s victory in this same race 20 years ago, when the horse and jockey Jeremy Rose nearly went down when they were cut off by another horse at the top of the stretch.

Umberto Rispoli, atop Journalism, wins the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Journalism’s anxious moment was around the same spot at Pimlico, and although he didn’t stumble the way Afleet Alex did, he had to deal with horses on both sides of him.

“Jeremy Rose almost fell off from the horse. That was for me probably the most spectacular Preakness that I ever see,” Rispoli said. “But even what we saw today. This horse, coming back after two weeks from a tough trip in the (Kentucky) Derby … it was an amazing effort. I wish I would have give him a softer race, but this is a part of horse racing.”

After working his way through traffic, there was still the matter of catching Gosger.

“At the 16th pole, I say OK, I think I’m going to be late but probably on time,” Rispoli said.

With one final surge, Journalism pulled ahead and won by a half-length.

Umberto Rispoli hugs his son, Hayden, as his wife Kimberley, right, and their son Aramis look on after Umberto Rispoli rode Journalism to win the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

“When I cross the line, it’s all 20 years of my career that pass in front of me,” Rispoli said. “I had to wait so long to ride a champion like that.”

Journalism acquitted himself well in finishing second in the Kentucky Derby, and when Derby winner Sovereignty skipped the Preakness, Journalism was the clear favorite.

He would have to win from behind, though. Rispoli credited Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey with the advice to save ground in this race.

“Umberto, all credit to him, he chose to save ground. That’s what it takes to win these races like this,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “Obviously found himself in a little bit of a conundrum there for six or eight jumps. Thankful that he and the horse came out of it unscathed. That’s the most important thing, win, lose or draw.”

When Rispoli was asked about being the first jockey from Italy with a Triple Crown win, there were shouts of “Viva Italia!” before he answered. He said his idol was top Italian jockey Frankie Dettori, who was expected to retire at the end of 2023 but continued racing.

“I think you have to ride a couple of more years to get one of the winners of the Triple Crown to equal me,” Rispoli said. “It’s even difficult to describe the feeling when you cross the wire in those races. You just dream about that.”

___

AP horse racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.