Jockey Profile - Joel Rosario

Jockey Joel Rosario rode 3 horses in 2003. In 2005, Joel rode 6 horses. 3 of the 6 horses that Rosario rode that year finished in second place. The following year, he rode 219 horses. Of his 219 mounts, 29 won, 33 finished second, and 30 finished third.

Since the year 2007, Joel Rosario hasn't rode less than 1,024 mounts in a single year. He's been that impressive. His resume gets better year to year. Rosario fluctuates his style. He's an excellent craftsman. A craftsman is an individual that can change his or her artistry depending on the situation.

Bob Dylan is a craftsman. So is Joel Rosario.

2013 Kentucky Derby - Orb

Race conditions definitely set-up for Orb in the 2013 Kentucky Derby. The big son of Malibu Moon had a mud pedigree for days. But, closing in the Kentucky Derby is never as easy as one thinks. That's what Joel did aboard Orb. He managed to get Orb to the wire first ahead of some heady equines like Palace Malice, and eventual handicap star Will Take Charge.

2014 Belmont Stakes - Tonalist

2014 was the year. Before American Pharoah won the Triple Crown in 2015, all eyes were on California Chrome. He easily handled his competition in both the Derby and the Preakness Stakes. Chrome was going to break the curse. There was no doubt about it.

Some believe Victor Espinoza's ride aboard California Chrome ended the Belmont Stakes favorite's chances of winning the Crown. I don't. If Chrome was good enough that day, he would have beaten Tonalist. Tonalist was under a great local, New York jockey who knew exactly how to ride him to the upset win.

2015 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint - Wavell Avenue

Joel knows exactly what he must do aboard every horse he rides. He understands pace exceptionally well. He knew when to push the button on Wavell Avenue. Others had a shot to close against La Verdad in the 2015 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. But, only Joel and Wavell Avenue got to the front runner.

2016 Breeders' Cup Mile - Tourist

I must put Tourist on the list. I was having just an okay Breeders' Cup until Rosario and Tourist came through for me in the 2016 BC Mile. Rosario rode Tourist perfectly. The BC Mile winner keyed a nice trifecta and Pick 3. The tri and Pick 3 kept me in the game!

2017 Dubai Golden Shaheen - Mind Your Biscuits

Rosario rides Mind Your Biscuits. I think Mind Your Biscuits can close against any pace. Joel has one of those special jockey and equine relationships with Mind Your Biscuits. It's hard for me to imagine Mind Your Biscuits losing this year.  That says a lot because horses that come back from Dubai don't always end up showing as much as they did before going to Dubai.