Rosario, Saez Combine to Sweep Keeneland's Nine Stakes
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Joel Rosario gives a thumps up after riding Bound for Nowhere to victory in Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland
On the second day of the Keeneland spring meet April 3, jockeys Joel Rosario and Luis Saez combined to win nine races on the 11-race program, continuing their domination of the young season. The two riders won all nine stakes at the Lexington oval during opening week.
After 21 races over the track's two days of racing, Rosario top the standings with seven wins, and Saez is second with six victories.
Rosario rode five winners Saturday, including four consecutive stakes: the Commonwealth Stakes (G3) on Flagstaff , the Shakertown Stakes (G2T) on Bound for Nowhere , the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) on Malathaat , and the Madison Stakes (G1) on Kimari . The previous day he captured two stakes: the Palisades Turf Sprint Stakes with Chasing Artie and the Kentucky Utilities Transylvania Stakes (G3T) on Scarlett Sky .
"Thank you to everyone: (trainers) Wesley Ward, Todd Pletcher, everyone else who gave me an opportunity," said Rosario about his performance Saturday in which he rode in nine races. "It was an amazing day. I thought I had some chances to win but you never know, so it's just great to have the opportunities and be able to win."
Rosario joins Jerry Bailey (1999) and Javier Castellano (2016) as riders with a record six stakes wins during a Keeneland spring meet. If he wins one of the 10 stakes remaining this season, Rosario will take sole possession of the spring-meet record.
During the 2013 Spring Meet when he won a season record 38 races, Rosario also had two five-win days. He shares the five-win mark in the spring meet with five other jockeys.
The spring meet record for wins on one day is six, accomplished by three jockeys: Craig Perret (1990), Randy Romero (1990), and Julien Leparoux (2012).
Rosario has been all across the country and world this year. Based in California through the winter, he traveled to Arkansas to win the $1 million Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Concert Tour , and to Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots to win the $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby on Hot Rod Charlie .
"I am not having to do too much, just a little bit. Just glad to have the opportunity," he said.
He also made overseas trips to ride in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
"It's an amazing place to be," he said of tracks in the Middle East. "Like I say, just happy to have the opportunity in those kinds of races. I'm more than blessed."
Rosario indicated he would ride predominantly at Keeneland this meet, only leaving for a short while to pursue opportunities at Oaklawn Park. He is expected to ride Concert Tour in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) there April 10, among other races.
Luis Saez guides Jouster to victory in the Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland
On Friday, Saez rode Twenty Carat to win the Beaumont Stakes (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select. On Saturday, he won four races topped by the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) on Essential Quality and the Appalachian Stakes (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association on Jouster .
Saez also traveled to the Middle East this year, winning the Dubai World Cup (G1) on Mystic Guide .