Business savvy is imperative for young jockeys thrust into the public eye, says local jockey Ryan Fogelsonger. And he should know. It wasn?t long ago that he stood in rising star Anna Rosie Napravnik?s place.
In 2002, the Silver Spring native captured the Eclipse Award for top apprentice after riding 267 winners with earnings of $4.9 million. Then 22 and new to wealth and fame, Fogelsonger found himself buying dinner for his buddies every night, and, at the bar, drinks were on him.
“It was the best time of my life,” he said. “I got it all.”
With reporters clamoring for interviews and owners begging Napravnik to ride their horses, Fogelsonger said, watching her get a chance to dominate the industry offers him a reality check. He said he?s offered Napravnik advice on several occasions ? warning her to keep her ego in check and find a financial adviser ? but he enjoys the competition.
After winning 99 races in the winter meet in Laurel, Napravnik won 56 this spring at Pimlico, sitting 31 wins above her nearest competitor, Erick Rodriguez, and 31 wins above Fogelsonger. And for Napravnik, racing against male jockeys comes naturally.
“I?ve competed with guys all of my life,” she said. “I?m very comfortable with the atmosphere.”
