War Like Goddess returns in Keeneland stakes closer, the Bewitch

War Like Goddess will make her 5-year-old debut Friday as a heavy favorite in the closing-day feature at Keeneland, the Grade 3 Bewitch, with a new jockey in Joel Rosario. The stretch-running mare is one of seven fillies and mares in the $300,000 Bewitch, which goes at 1 1/2 miles on the turf.

War Like Goddess, trained by Bill Mott, was the top filly-mare turf runner on based in North America last year and finished second in the Eclipse Award voting behind Loves Only You, the Japanese-bred filly who defeated her in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Rosario takes over the mount from Julien Leparoux, who rode her in all but one of her eight career starts.

Last year, War Like Goddess won four graded races, including the Bewitch and the Grade 1 Flower Bowl at Saratoga.

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Meanwhile, Rosario, the 2021 Eclipse winner for outstanding jockey, will return to Belmont Park in New York following the Kentucky Derby, according to agent Ron Anderson. Rosario rode regularly at the 2021 fall meet at Churchill and had ridden mostly at Oaklawn Park this year before Keeneland began April 8. Rosario will be back at Churchill on certain stakes dates, said Anderson.