HORSE RACING’S 69th HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY AND A CONVERSATION WITH Joel Rosario

On Friday, the 2nd of August, this years inductees will be enshrined as members of Horse Racing’s Hall of Fame. They are representative of the select few who have risen above their competitors with their tremendous skills and God given talent.

The National Museum of Racing was established in 1951. It was the brainchild of Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, known as ‘Sonny.” He and a select group of dignitaries from across the horse racing community made plans to erect a shrine to “The Sport of Kings” here in Saratoga. The Canfield Casino in Congress Park housed the museum until 1955 when it was moved to its newly erected site on historic Union Avenue.

The museum has since then grown into a 21st century experience. It is a must see for fans in town for the races. For those who are novices it’s a great learning experience. It will give them an understanding of why so many of us are dedicated to the sport.

Today we will take a look at some of the Hall of Fame members and introduce the class of 2024.  

Jockeys led by the greatest of them all, Eddie Arcaro, along with Bill Shoemaker, Braulio Baeza, Manuel Ycaza and my favorite Bill Hartack. Then there are their predecessors, the likes of George “The Ice Man” Wolfe and Earl Sande who rode both Man o’ War and Gallant Fox. Great names from the latter half of the twentieth century include Angel Cordero, Jacinto Vasquez, Pat Day and Jorge Velasquez. The more current members are the likes of Laffit Pincay, John Velazquez, Jose Santos, Mike Smith and Chris McCarron.

The great trainers who conditioned their stock to outperform the best competition to come their way occupy coveted space on the scroll of Hall of Fame honorees. There are the old timers, Louis Feustel who was there for every stride of Man o’ War’s unmatched career and “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons who  comes quickly to mind as the Dean of American trainers when the sport was in its heyday. Syl Veitch, Johnny Nerud, Frank Whitely, Mac Miller, Lucien Laurin and the brilliant Argentinian, Horatio Luro made their mark in the mid twentieth century. The more contemporary group includes the likes of Bob Baffert, Wayne Lukas, Neil Drysdale, Todd Pletcher and Nick Zito to name a few.

Then there are the thoroughbreds. They are the heart and soul of the Hall of Fame. We know their names, Secretariat, Man o’ War, Citation, Kelso and Native Dancer. Not enough, how about Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid and the list goes on.

Let’s not forget the great ladies of the turf, the incomparable Ruffian, Lady’s Secret, Genuine Risk, Rachel Alexandra and Zanyetta.

This year three of those nominated received the necessary votes to enter the halls of immortality.

Two magnificent thoroughbreds have been selected this year. Justify, the only three year old colt to win the Triple Crown and retire unbeaten joins the 12 TC winners who preceded him as inductees. The rare feat justifiably punched his one way ticket to immortality

Gun Runner also made the grade this year. This gun slinger won major events at seven American racetracks. His crowning achievement was winning the Breeders Cup Classic in his 2017 campaign. The champ was rewarded with an Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year honors with that dazzling performance.

The final inductee is Joel Rosario. The 39 year old jockey from the Dominican Republic has plied his trade here in the states since 2006. In a flash he became one of the top riders on the lucrative California circuit. Among his numerous stakes wins include the Kentucky Derby, a pair of Belmont Stakes, 13 Breeders Cup trophies and the Dubai World Cup. Add to that an Eclipse Award as the outstanding jockey of the 2021 racing season. It’s an elixir that has brought him the coveted honor of Hall of Fame recognition.

Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with Joel about his journey to the mega success that he now enjoys. It was no easy road from the Dominican Republic, where racetracks are about as rare as lifeboats on the Titanic, to his meteoric rise here in the states. Joel stated that the competition was formidable when he hit the Northern California racing scene. He had a chance to see and compete against the great Russell Baze. He watched and learned from a master of his trade.

Joel was learning fast. Soon he was heading south to the big time at Santa Anita and Del Mar. He was now challenging the big money riders. The competition was fierce.

Mike Smith was one that that he watched closely. He has the highest respect for him. He learned a lot from Smith, one of the all time greats and winner of seven Triple Crown events. Joel credits many others that were instrumental in his learning process.

I put forth the standard question, how does riding in New York differ from the West Coast. Joel says without hesitation that the competition is very, very tough here. 

I asked Joel what races that he has won mean the most to him. With absolute honesty, he stated that every race that he wins means a lot. They all are important to him. The Kentucky Derby victory aboard Orb in 2018 is one that he cherishes. His 2009 Breeder’s Cup win with Dancing in Silks is another that stands out.

When the subject of the best horses he has rode he reeled of the following.

Animal Kingdom, Tonalist, Frosted ..So many good ones.

When asked if he had a favorite racetrack to ride at, Santa Anita, Del Mar, Belmont Park and Saratoga came to mind. He loves them all. He says the the setting here is beautiful and the fans are great.

Finally, What does it mean to you to be a Hall of Fame member. Joel says it was a lot of hard work, a great honor and a dream come true.

It’s going to get a lot more beautiful come Hall of Fame induction day for Joel Rosario. His fame is secured. He will forever be enshrined as one of the select few who reside in immortality at 191 Union Avenue.

Thanks to Joel for his time. He is a gentleman and deserved of all the success that comes his way… And thanks to my friend, a one of a kind, Saratoga’s own Vince DeGregory, who will never let you down, and made this interview possible.

The ceremony will be held at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion at 10:30 a.m. on Friday August the 2nd. It is open to the public. Hope to see you there!