Rosario riding in Saudi Arabia on Friday and Saturday

ARCADIA, Calif. – Joel Rosario, the leading rider at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, will ride in Saudi Arabia on Friday and Saturday, according to his agent, Ron Anderson.

Rosario, who was to turn 35 on Tuesday, is scheduled to return to Santa Anita for Sunday’s program, Anderson said. There is also racing at Santa Anita on Monday, Jan. 20.

Through Sunday, Rosario led all riders with 15 wins, four more than Abel Cedillo. Rosario had three wins on Sunday, including on Mother Mother in the $81,700 Kalookan Queen Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Leading the standings is a familiar position for Rosario. In early 2019, Rosario was the leading rider at the winter-spring meeting before he relocated to Keeneland in April. Flavien Prat eventually won the riding title.