Churchill to honor retired jockey Napravnik

Churchill Downs will honor recently retired jockey Rosie Napravnik, the first and only female rider to win the Kentucky Oaks, during Saturday’s racing program, the track has announced.

After a sixth race dubbed “The Run for Rosie,” a ceremony is planned in the winner’s circle. Post time is 3:08 p.m.

Napravnik, who announced she’d retire to start a family after winning the Breeders’ Cup Distaff earlier this month aboard Untapable, first piloted Believe You Can to victory in the 2012 Oaks.

The 26-year-old from New Jersey also holds the highest Kentucky Derby finish by a female jockey — fifth on Mylute in the 2013 running won by Orb — and is the only woman to have ridden in each Triple Crown race.

Napravnik, who won 95 times under the Twin Spires, is married to Churchill Downs-based trainer Joe Sharp, who opened a stable this year.

Jonathan Lintner can be reached at (502) 582-4199. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanLintner.