Rosario Back Aboard General a Rod

Joel Rosario, who rode General a Rod to a victory in the Gulfstream Park Derby on Jan. 1, will be back aboard the Roman Ruler colt in his next start.            

Trainer Mike Maker confirmed on Friday that Rosario will ride General a Rod in the $1 million Besilu Stables Florida Derby (G1), Gulfstream’s signature race on March 29.           

Rosario is third with $2,265,054 in purse earnings and fourth with 46 wins from 309 mounts at the current Champions meet, including a victory aboard Lea in the $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1) on Feb. 9. In addition to Rosario, General a Rod has been ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Robby Albarado and Javier Castellano.            

“He’s not a complicated horse to ride and Joel has won on him before, so we’re happy to have him,” Maker said. “We’ve had a lot of success together in the past, and I hope it continues. He’s a top-class rider, and I’m glad we’ve got him.”            

Castellano rode General a Rod to a runner-up finish behind Wildcat Red in the $400,000 Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth (G2) on Feb. 22, but he is the regular rider of both Constitution, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt who is headed to the Florida Derby, as well as Honor Code.            

Maker said General a Rod will breeze again on Saturday morning at Gulfstream with regular exercise rider Joel Barrientos aboard.            

“The horse is doing great, and he looks fabulous,” Maker said.