Prior to relocating to Southern California in late 2019, Umberto Rispoli had never ridden a race in the United States. He began his career as an apprentice jockey in his native Italy in 2005.

For McCarthy, the 54-year-old former assistant to Todd Pletcher, the Preakness was his second career Triple Crown triumph. He sent Rombauer to the winner’s circle in the 2021 Preakness. Rombauer then cashed a show ticket in the Belmont Stakes.

The 157th running of the Belmont Stakes takes off on Saturday night at Saratoga Race Course. While any horse in the field has a chance to cross first, this year’s Belmont odds are led by the two horses that split the Kentucky Derby and Preakness: Sovereignty and Journalism.