BALTIMORE — It’s a bit ironic that Rosie Napravnik recently signed a deal to endorse Snickers candy bars, when you consider some of the snickers female jockeys have heard over the years. But Napravnik has more than held her own against her male counterparts the past several seasons — she’s tied for second as the winningest jockey in America this year — and hopes to make history today on Mylute by becoming the first woman rider to win the Preakness.
The Preakness is a homecoming for the 25-year-old native of Morristown, N.J., who won her career debut on June 9, 2005, at Pimlico riding Ringofdiamonds for Maryland trainer Dickie Small. Since then, Napravnik has won more than 1,500 races and banked more than $49 million in purses.
“I’m so excited to be home,” Naprvanik said yesterday. “To ride in the Preakness is really a dream come true.”
Napravnik rode Mylute, trained by Tom Amoss, to finish fifth in the Kentucky Derby, rallying from 18th. It was the best finish ever by a female rider in the Run for the Roses.
“[Winning] The Derby would mean so much for my career and to so many people,” she said. “The Preakness would really be a great personal accomplishment. I don’t know which would be more exciting. I haven’t won either yet, so I’ll let you know when it happens.
“I’m not doing this because I’m a girl. I just want to win the race.”
Napravnik said she thinks Mylute, the 5-1 second choice on the morning line because of her presence in the saddle, has the stuff to upset Orb.
“Mylute is definitely coming along,” she said. “He’s a bit of a slow learner, but he’s really waking up and improving as a race horse. He’s really getting competitive, and he’s got a powerful move.”