Rosario to ride Churchill Downs fall meet after Breeders' Cup

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Joel Rosario plans to ride the balance of the Churchill fall meet after the Breeders’ Cup, marking the first time the star jockey has ridden regularly at Churchill at this particular time of year. The 21-day meet starts Sunday and runs through Nov. 28.

Rosario, who into this week led all North American riders in stakes (63) and graded stakes (45) victories this year, already has enjoyed tremendous success at Kentucky tracks this season by riding 14 stakes winners while also setting several records at the rich Kentucky Downs meet in September.

Rosario’s targeted dates at the Churchill fall meet are Nov. 10-28. His agent, Ron Anderson, said Rosario’s main venue during the coming winter has yet to be determined.

As with the 12-day September meet, this will be a dirt-only meet at Churchill. All sod work has been completed on the newly renovated turf course, which is scheduled for first use at the 2022 spring meet.

As usual, the Sunday opener at Churchill will consist exclusively of 2-year-old races, led by $200,000 twin stakes going 1 1/16 miles, the Street Sense and Rags to Riches.

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◗ In her first timed work since she won the Open Mind on Sept. 18 at Churchill, the standout sprinter Sconsin breezed a half-mile in 48.60 seconds before dawn Wednesday at Churchill for trainer Greg Foley. Sconsin is being pointed to the $300,000 Dream Supreme on Nov. 13, a six-furlong race also expected to get familiar rivals Bell’s the One and Club Car.

◗ A one-vehicle accident that occurred before dawn Wednesday on Keeneland property near the top of the Headley Course chute at the 4 1/2-furlong pole resulted in no serious injury, according to a spokesman for the Lexington police. Training was suspended as emergency vehicles attended to the accident, but time was made up with training allowed during the second regularly scheduled harrow break (8:30-9).

◗ Ted Bassett, arguably the most influent individual in Keeneland’s 85-year history, celebrated his 100th birthday with a brief visit Tuesday morning to the office he still maintains at the track. Bassett held every major senior position in more than 40 years in track administration.