Napravnik Returns to Fair Grounds on Saturday for Fifth Annual New Vocations Day at The Races

By Joe Kristufek —-

Napravnik Returns to Fair Grounds on Saturday for Fifth Annual New Vocations Day at The Races
Donations encouraged, but raising awareness very much emphasized

New Orleans, La (Feb. 18, 2025) – On Saturday, Feb. 22, retired jockey and horse advocate Rosie Napravnik will be on site at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots to spearhead the fifth annual “New Vocations Day at the Races.”
A four-time local riding champion who was instrumental in the opening of the New Vocations facility in Covington, Louisiana, Napravnik will join the Fair Grounds’ broadcast team to help build awareness, promote success stories, provide adoption options and inspire donations for Thoroughbred aftercare.
“I am very proud to be part of the fifth annual New Vocations Day at Fair Grounds,” Napravnik said. “To my knowledge, there isn’t another racetrack in the country that dedicates an entire racing day to aftercare initiatives. “I’m incredibly grateful to the Fair Grounds and the New Vocations staff for their efforts, on-air host Joe Kristufek in particular. He’s personally invested and goes above and beyond to make this day special.”
Recognizing the need for expanded Thoroughbred aftercare initiatives in Louisiana, Napravnik reached out to New Vocations, the largest racehorse adoption program in the country, in the fall of 2019. The organization welcomed Napravnik’s direct involvement, and together they’ve fueled the success and continued growth of the Covington location.
“Our mission is to raise awareness,” Napravnik said. “Louisiana horsemen, at the end of their careers, we are here locally to serve your horses in aftercare. Raising funds to support this initiative is also important. We appreciate the support from the entire industry — the jockeys to the owners to the racing fans. Every little bit helps. The New Vocations satellite program in Covington, Louisiana has been a massive success. I’m super excited that New Vocations’ program director Anna Ford will be joining us this year to help us celebrate that progress.”
New Vocations is making it easier than ever to donate to the cause. Racehorse owners, jockeys and trainers can contribute a financial donation to the Louisiana chapter of New Vocations directly through the horsemen’s bookkeeper. Donations are also being accepted through Venmo @newvocations as well as the New Vocations website at https://newvocations.org/donate. Click the button with Rosie’s picture on it in the top row to complete the process.

“Celebrating our sixth year, our Louisiana facility has successfully served over 260 retired racehorses,” Ford said. “We have an incredible team working with the horses, and the support from the Louisiana HBPA has been instrumental to our success. We are thrilled to see an increasing number of owners and breeders reaching out to utilize our services. We are also very grateful to the Fair Grounds for hosting another New Vocations Day at the Races, and we hope this event will continue to raise awareness about our Louisiana facility and the services we offer to the racing community.”
Napravnik, who won 1,878 races in her ten-year career, retired in 2014 following her Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) win with Untapable. In 2012 she became the first female rider to capture the Kentucky Oaks (G1), guiding Believe You Can to victory, and she won the race again just two years later with Untapable. She is married to trainer Joe Sharp and together they have two sons, Carson and Tucker.
“Rosie has always been one of our favorites,” said Fair Grounds senior director of racing Jason Boulet. “When she came to us with the concept for holding this event at Fair Grounds five years ago, we didn’t blink. We are proud to serve as a vessel for raising awareness and donations for racehorse aftercare. These horses give so much on the track, when they retire from racing it’s our chance to give back to them.”
In addition to serving as co-host alongside John G. Dooley for the “Fair Grounds Today” broadcast and Joe Kristufek for the simulcast show, Napravnik will also provide “expert picks” selections and videos for TwinSpires – accessible through their website and mobile app.
“During my riding career, I never handicapped to pick the winner, I handicapped to make my horse the winner,” Napravnik said. “But there’s a lot of insight I can give on how each of the riders could see the race unfolding and how it might play out from a pace and trip perspective. I truly enjoy being on the show and handicapping the races with Joe so it will be another fun and exciting day as we raise awareness and funds for aftercare in Louisiana!”
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About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, La, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 15 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 153rd Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 112th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 22, 2024 through March 23, 2025. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.