Rising star Napravnik chasing Derby history

Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, KY.

She started out her career disguising her gender, riding under the initials A.R. Napravnik. In the male-dominated world of horse racing, Anna Rose Napravnik figured she’d have better luck if nobody noticed a woman’s name in the track program.

With her red hair tucked under her helmet, she blended in with the male jockeys in their brightly colored silks, white pants and polished black riding boots.

Nine years later, Rosie Napravnik is one of the rising stars in the sport, having long ago discarded her ruse. Now the 26-year-old from New Jersey will try to make history this weekend and become the first woman to ride a Kentucky Derby winner.

She’s achieved firsts before: the first woman to win the Louisiana Derby, and did it twice; the highest-placing female rider in the Kentucky Derby, finishing fifth last year aboard Mylute; the first woman to win a riding title at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans in 2011, with 34 more victories than the runner-up.

And, she was the first woman to win the Kentucky Oaks, a $1 million race run on Derby eve, and has a strong chance to win it again today with early 4-5 favorite Untapable. Her mount in the Derby on Saturday is 20-1 long shot Vicar’s In Trouble.

“When I think about the things I’ve done in my career, it seems like I just started yesterday,” said Napravnik, who won her first race just days after finishing her junior year in high school.

“I’ve been in so many different places. I’ve been so lucky to have ridden some of the horses I’ve ridden. It keeps building, and getting better and better and better.”

Not much would be better than winning the Derby on her third try.

She’s facing a built-in challenge: Vicar’s In Trouble drew the dreaded No. 1 spot in the starting gate. With 19 horses on his outside fighting to move inside to save ground, he and Napravnik will be under the gun when the gate springs open.

“He gets out of that gate fast every single time,” she said. “If I have to ride somebody out of there, I’m glad it’s him.”

Amid the hustle of race week, Napravnik has been doing her homework, using her computer and smart phone to watch replays of previous Derbies. She’s been focused on the horse in the No. 1 position. The rail extends into its path, so horse and rider need to be quick to avoid running into it.

Eight horses have won the Derby from the No. 1 post, most recently Ferdinand in 1986. Citation, the 1948 Triple Crown winner, started from there.

“It’s probably not as bad as people think it is,” she said. “I think I’ll be able to get Vicar into good position.”