Del Mar

Del Mar: Rosario injury could impact Game On Dude mount

Jay Privman|Aug 23, 2013

Tom Keyser Joel Rosario, formerly based in California, has been winning races in bunches since coming east and could succeed the retired Ramon Dominguez as leading rider at Saratoga.

DEL MAR, Calif. – The broken foot bone suffered by jockey Joel Rosario at Saratoga on Friday jeopardizes not only his mounts Saturday at Saratoga, including Orb in the Travers Stakes, but a full slate of races Sunday at Del Mar, including Game On Dude in the Pacific Classic and Goldencents in the Pat O'Brien.

Bernie Schiappa, a co-owner of Game On Dude, said he would find out Saturday morning from Rosario’s agent, Ron Anderson, if Rosario will be able to ride here Sunday. Bob Baffert, who trains Game On Dude, said if Rosario can't make it, he has “till Sunday to think about it” in terms of finding a replacement.

A field of 13 is entered in the Pacific Classic, so most big-name riders already have mounts. Among those open are David Flores, Mario Gutierrez, and Patrick Valenzuela.

Rosario was named to replace Mike Smith, who rode Game On Dude in his last five starts, all wins, but chose to go to Saratoga on Sunday to ride Royal Delta in the Personal Ensign.

[PACIFIC CLASSIC: Get PPs, watch Sunday's Del Mar card live]

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