Closely knit riders Santana, Osorio split for summer

Jockeys Ricardo Santana Jr., 23, and Didiel Osorio, 22, grew up in the same house in their native Panama. Although not in blood, they consider themselves to be brothers. Both rode at the Churchill meet and will now head their separate ways for the next eight weeks or so.

Osorio, the leading rider last summer at Ellis Park, already is off to a very quick start at the western Kentucky track, having won four of the eight opening-day races last Saturday.

“I’m really happy to start off so strong,” said Osorio, whose agent is 21-year-old Joe Santos, son of retired jockey Jose Santos. “I have to thank the owners and trainers who always give me a good chance at Ellis to show what I can do. I hope I can have a great meet like I did last year.”

Santana, the leading rider at Oaklawn Park in each of the last four years, soon will join Kentucky regulars Julien Leparoux, Florent Geroux, and Shaun Bridgmohan in riding the entire meet at Saratoga, which starts July 22.

Sweet Acclaim tops Ellis Turf

Ellis canceled its July 4 card when the track was rendered unsafe after being swamped with heavy rain. Some of those scheduled races are being redrawn for Sunday. The first stakes of the meet, the $50,000 Ellis Park Turf, will be run Saturday, with Sweet Acclaim likely to be heavily favored for Brad Cox in a field of nine fillies and mares.

The highlight of an eight-race Friday card is a $40,000 turf allowance in which Casse has the likely favorite in Sky Hero. First post daily is 12:50 p.m. Central.

◗ Philiane Fischer, the wife of prominent Kentucky equine veterinarian Rick Fischer, died last Saturday at age 63. A memorial service is set for July 15 in Louisville. At the family’s request, expressions of sympathy can be made to Old Friends.