Santa Anita Again the Winter Base for Rosario

Eclipse Award-winning jockey Joel Rosario, who first rose to national prominence while riding at Santa Anita Park more than a decade ago, is back at The Great Race Place. He begins his first winter stay at Santa Anita since 2020-21 with three rides Jan. 5.

"Here is like my home. I love it here," Rosario said Jan. 4. "I have a lot of great memories of this place. Hopefully we do well."

Rosario is a three-time leading rider at Santa Anita, the most recent coming in the 2018-19 winter-spring season. He also won Santa Anita winter-spring meet riding crowns in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

In recent years, Rosario has plied his considerable riding skills at major tracks in the east. He spent last winter at Gulfstream Park in south Florida. Rosario said the decision to return to Santa Anita this year was made in consultation with agent Ron Anderson.

"Ron and I thought about it and felt like it was the right decision," Rosario said. "I'll be based here but will still occasionally go ride in stakes at Oaklawn and Fair Grounds. I do what Ron says."

He rode at Oaklawn Park, Fair Grounds Race Course & Gulfstream in late 2023.

Rosario, a native of the Dominican Republic, has 3,563 career wins and more than $314 million in purse earnings.

"Hopefully this is the year we can win another Eclipse Award," said Rosario, who turns 39 on Jan. 14.

All three of Rosario's rides Friday are for trainer John Sadler. He will be aboard morning-line favorite Paco's Pico  (6-5) in the fourth race, Scarlet Avenue  (5-1) in the sixth race, and Elector  (8-1) in the eighth race.

On Jan. 6, Rosario has six mounts booked, including Slider  (4-1) for Sadler in the San Vicente Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs.