Rosie was born to race for the roses

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Getting an early start on a career always helps. Rosie Napravnik couldn't have begun any younger.

Her mother, Cindy, rode show horses, and she didn't stop after learning she was pregnant in 1987. "I was riding in the womb," Napravnik said, "and ever since."

Bouncing around in the saddle before birth didn't produce her uncanny sense of pace, but it couldn't have hurt. At 2, the redheaded farm girl from New Jersey was on a pony. At 7, after her first pony race, she decided she'd become a jockey. At 23, she'll try to be the first woman to ride a Kentucky Derby winner. Can Rosie get the roses?

Catching on quickly comes naturally to Napravnik, who at 17 went to Pimlico's winner's circle in her career debut. Last year she was the first woman to lead the standings at Delaware Park, and this winter her 110 victories won the Fair Grounds title. Her career highlight came when she took the $1-million Louisiana Derby her first time on Pants on Fire, her Derby mount Saturday for trainer Kelly Breen.

At 5-2 and 114 pounds, she's fearless and cool.

"My fiance criticizes me for 'never getting excited' about anything," Napravnik said Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs. "When the owner asked whether I wanted to ride in the Derby, I was sarcastic and said, 'Yes, I don't think I have anything else to do that day.' But if we win, definitely tears."

Napravnik said farm chores growing up created her work ethic.

"I think coming up from the bottom taught me a lot of horsemanship," she said. "I think it really gave me a good foundation."

Gender bias in racing isn't what it once was, but it still comes up. "I've had people tell me to my face they wouldn't ride a girl," she said, "and I was surprised when they came back and used me."

Getting respect from male riders also took time. "I feel like I'm treated equally with the guys now," she said. "But every time you go to a new place, you get tested. At the Fair Grounds, those Cajuns are tough and at first they tried to be as intimidating as possible. By the end I think they were very happy for my success."

Among her admirers is Robby Albarado, who has seven riding titles at the Fair Grounds.

"For her to come here for the first time and be as dominant as she was, that's very special," he said. "I have a lot of respect for her not only as a jockey, but as a person."

Trainers salute Napravnik, too. Al Stall Jr. calls her "mature beyond her years." Tom Amoss said, "She has the best mind of any rider out here." To John Parisella, she's "one tough cookie, a killer."

She credits trainer Michael Stidham and his assistant, Joe Sharp, for encouraging her to compete at the Fair Grounds. Sharp also is her fiance.

After going 2-for-66 at ultra-competitive Keeneland, Napravnik won twice Saturday on Churchill's opening night.

"I was hoping it would set a precedent for this meet," she said. "I really feel Pants on Fire is as talented as anybody in the field. He runs with an extreme amount of heart."

Confidence never has been a problem for Napravnik. Kelly Wietsma represents her and Mike Repole, Uncle Mo's owner.

"I told Rosie I couldn't put Pants On Fire ahead of Uncle Mo, but I could hope for a dead heat," Wietsma said. "Rosie said, 'OK, I'll wait for Mo at the wire.' "