Big Everest takes Artie Schiller as Rosario has four-win day

Joel Rosario missed three days of racing this week due to illness. He made up for lost time on Sunday at Aqueduct by winning four races, capped by a front-running score aboard Big Everest in the $135,000 Artie Schiller Stakes.

In a scratched-reduced field of six, Big Everest was able to secure an easy early lead, opening up a length advantage under Rosario through an opening quarter of 24.45 seconds. Big Everest maintained a measured advantage over a stalking Homer Screen through a half-mile in 49.79 seconds.

Rosario let Big Everest out around the turn and while Rosario really never asked the gelding for his best, Big Everest held an oncoming Shadow Sphinx at bay to win by a half-length. It was 1 1/2 lengths back to Pao Alto in third. Decorated Invader, Airman and Homer Screen completed the order of finish.

There were five horses entered for turf who scratched - Sifting Sands, Wolfie’s Dynaghost, Good Governance, Somelikeithotbrown and Dynadrive.

The win was the fourth from five starts this year for Big Everest, a 4-year-old gelded Great Britain-bred by The Gurkha owned by Dean Reeves, William Branch, Steven Rocco and trained by Christophe Clement.

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The win was the fourth from six mounts on Sunday’s card for Rosario, who also won the first on Neural Network ($12.80), the third on Violent Vixen ($23.20) and the fifth on Bold Journey ($5.60).

Rosario rode Big Everest to all four of his victories this year and his maiden victory a year ago.

Though Big Everest came from off the pace in his maiden win, his best races have come on the lead.

“He’s the kind of horse that when he relaxes, he runs his best race,” Rosario said.

Clement said Big Everest “doesn’t have to be on the lead, he’s got be to close to the pace. Joel rides him great.”

Big Everest covered the one mile in 1:37.19 over yielding ground and returned $4.20 as the favorite.

Salimah dominates Winter Memories

Salimah unleashed a strong turn of foot in the final three-sixteenths under Jose Ortiz to win the $135,000 Winter Memories Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by three lengths.

Candy Light closed from seventh to edge Veronica Greene by a nose for second, ruining the chance of a one-two finish for Stephanie Seymour Brant, owner of Salimah, and her husband Peter Brant, owner of Veronica Greene.

Salimah, a 3-year-old Irish-bred daughter of El Kabeir, won for the third time in four starts. The Winter Memories was her stakes debut.

Salimah, under Jose Ortiz, sat a ground-saving third while Tasweya opened up a four-length advantage while running a half-mile in 49.12 seconds. Ortiz was patient as he actually let Veronica Green, under Irad Ortiz Jr., get the jump on him around the turn.

When Jose Ortiz put Salimah out in the clear in upper stretch, she kicked hard and ran away from the field.

“She broke running, put me into a good position going into the first turn and then I took it from there,” Ortiz said. “She pulls a bit and she’s a little soft-mouthed, you got to be gentle, don’t pull her too much. I was very happy every step of the race.”

Salimah covered the 1 1/16 miles over yielding ground in 1:44.69 and returned $8.70 as the second choice.

Salimah, Veronica Greene and Eminent Victor, sixth as the favorite, were all sent out by Chad Brown.

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