Keeneland notes: Rosario takes early riding lead

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Joel Rosario wasted little time in making it known that he is a serious threat to snap the five-meet streak that Julien Leparoux has amassed as leading jockey here.

Rosario, riding his first full Keeneland meet, had four winners on the nine-race Sunday card to take the early lead atop the jockey standings even after missing Saturday to ride in New York.

Rocco due back after illness

Jockey Joe Rocco Jr. is expected back in action this week after being absent Saturday and Sunday with food poisoning. Among the mounts Rocco missed was Howe Great, winner of a rugged turf allowance Saturday over the likes of Turallure and Al Khali.

Also, Leandro Goncalves was back exercising horses Monday after being taken to a local hospital for precautionary measures after he was thrown by his mount, Xmas Sky, at the start of the first race Sunday.

** Keeneland is reporting a record three-day attendance of 66,523 for opening weekend, surpassing their prior mark of 62,257. The Saturday attendance of 32,564 was sixth-highest in track history, albeit well short of the all-time mark of 40,617 set last year on Blue Grass Day.

** These were the rounded payoffs for the 50-cent pick four wagers (two per day) from opening weekend: $112, $3,139, $2,028, $360, $188, and $571.

The 50-cent payoffs for perfect tickets in the pick five (one per day): $29,496, $2,535, and $1,516.