Umberto Rispoli previews Saturday's action at Del Mar

This former two-time Italian champion has gone on to ride worldwide winners at the highest level from France to Japan and Hong Kong. Last December, he hopped across the Atlantic to North America where he has rekindled his love of race-riding from his new California base.

Acclimatization was immediate and Rispoli even came within one winner of being the leading jockey of the Del Mar summer, while he was also in high demand at last month’s Breeders’ Cup showpiece at Keeneland.

Thanks to our partners at XB Net, Umberto will be providing us with 25 weekly columns over the next year in a topical, recurring series that will combine previews and tips, alongside wider industry comment and all his specialist insight from the saddle.

You can also follow Umberto via his own social channels:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/umbyrispoli?lang=en

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/umberto_rispoli88/?hl=en

Saturday 28th November – Del Mar

“Having signed on with a welcome winner aboard Absolute Unit at Del Mar last night, you’re hopefully catching me at the start of a lucky streak as I begin this blog! This evening’s meeting from my homefield of Del Mar begins at 20:30 GMT tonight, and I’ve seven promising rides across the nine-race card.

With the weather set fair for clear blue skies, I’m expecting few surprises from the elements. The Del Mar dirt course has been riding fast, while the grass is officially described as good to firm. But make no mistake, this turf is on the firm side and will only quicken up as the evening unfolds with the culmination of this three-day meet, which features some cracking action across grades 1, 2 and 3.

It’s not exactly the same track as we’ve raced on the past couple of days, however. After two days on the standard turf course, the masters of Del Mar have opened up more virgin track from the inside tonight (we usually save this new section for the weekend highlights), so there will be a fresh, even covering of grass - and no excuses!

Essentially, the track will play more fair, with runners able to contend as pacesetters, mid-pack merchants alongside those hold-up horses coming with a late rattle from the rear. Jockey tactics will accordingly play a key role, as opposed to everyone being desperate to sit on the front-end pace.

I get underway in the opener at 20:30 GMT, where I’m on Three Ay Em. Stepping up in distance, this progressive four-year has been training really well at home of late and we’re hopeful of a bold showing.

In Race 5, I’m aboard Closing Remarks and I fear the trip will take this fresh filly outside her comfort zone at this early stage in her career. Instead, look for Mike Smith’s Pizzazz to attract most of the money. I reckon she only has Fluffy Socks to beat.

Race 7 is the Seabiscuit Handicap, of course named after the American legend. I’m on the veteran Bowies Hero. Obviously, they don’t give away these prestigious races and this appears a very open grade 2. That said, Bowies Hero has been working well each of the past two weekends I’ve ridden him, and he will appreciate the likely strong pace here. As for dangers, I’d fear the most from Chad Brown’s Spirit Animal (Brown seldom sends them up here for the sun on their backs!) and Count Again. But I wouldn’t swap my boy, who seems sure to run his race.

Race 9 is the grand finale after the clock strikes midnight, but hopefully I’ve saved the best for last with number-two on the card, Smooth Like Strait. The Hollywood Derby, rescheduled at Del Mar since Hollywood Park is down, is the grade 1 highlight and the focus of the entire meeting. It’s a storied race with so much history, so I’d dearly love to break my North American hex by claiming my first grade 1 victory in the U.S. tonight.

Smooth Like Strait is already one of my favourite horses in the States. We get along very well and have worked a lot together. He’s in great shape at home and rates my nap on the card. Market dangers include Domestic Spender and Decorated Hero, but the only one I think we have to beat is Chris Clement’s Gufo.

Elsewhere on the card, King Wave (Race 2) and Allaboutthemoney (Race 4) both look up against it. However, Coalinga Road (Race 8), whom I partner in the penultimate contest, would seem to have rock-solid each-way credentials. He was a course winner over the minimum trip last time out and this step-up to six furlongs should hold no terrors for this plucky gelding.

That’s it from me for this week. As I say, it a really excellent card for the time of year, albeit after the Lord Mayor’s show of the Breeders’ Cup. And hopefully we can all go to bed happy after Smooth Like Strait in the lucky last!”