2011 Kentucky Derby – Rising Super Stars Land on Long Shots
Between them, jockeys Joel Rosario and Rafael Bejarano have won every riding title at a major meet in Southern since 2008. Rosario will be a much shorter price than Bejarano in his second time aboard Brilliant Speed (ranked No. 17 on Horse Racing Nation’s 2011 Kentucky Derby Contenders list), who he guided to a last to first victory at 19-to-1 in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (Grade I). “I’d never been with the horse before and it’s the first time I ride for the trainer,” said Rosario. “I have to say thank you to them for giving me the chance to ride.” Bejarano was named to ride Tampa Bay Derby (Grade II) winner Watch Me Go (No. 24) on Sunday after it was declared that Anthony’s Cross, who ranked No. 21 in graded stakes earnings and needed one defection to make the field, was removed from Derby consideration due to a minor illness. “I saw the race when he ran in Tampa Bay. He ran a really good race,” said Bejarano of the colt’s effort to win by a neck at 43-to-1. “I’m glad to pick up the mount.”
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