From the Churchill Downs Media Team / Darren Rogers:

ROSADO FINDS NEW HOME IN KENTUCKY RIDING COLONY

 LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 22, 2026) – Jockey Johan Rosado is hoping a move to Kentucky can help elevate the next stage of his riding career.

The 27-year-old rider, represented by agent Ruben Munoz, rode two winners this winter at Oaklawn Park before relocating to Kentucky, where he has started picking up mounts at Churchill Downs.

Rosado comes from a racing family. His father, Roberto Rosado, was a longtime rider at Parx Racing and won 1,048 races during his 25-year career where he also earned the 1997 Eclipse Award as Outstanding Apprentice Jockey.

“My father was a jockey for 25 years,” Johan Rosado said. “I always looked up to him. I grew up at the racetrack and have a lot of family in the business. I just followed their footsteps.”

Rosado said his father has continued to support his career as he made the transition to Kentucky.

“It was a dream come true to ride with him,” Rosado said. “He’s my hero. He always encouraged me to move to Kentucky. He’s always believed in me.”

Rosado also credited Hall of Fame jockey Ramon Dominguez as an important mentor during his career.

“Ramon is a classy guy,” Rosado said. “His advice is always fundamental. He’s very smart. I always try to emulate him.”

Rosado said he plans to ride in Kentucky throughout the spring and continue this summer at Ellis Park.

MULTIPLE NORTH AMERICAN GRADED STAKES-PLACED MARE AYRA STARK (ARG) TABBED AS 9-5 MORNING LINE CHOICE IN SATURDAY’S KEERTANA – Haymarket Farms’ Argentinian Grade II winner and multiple North American graded stakes placed mare Ayra Stark (ARG) was made the 9-5 morning line choice against seven turf marathoners entered in Saturday’s 13th running of the $250,000 Keertana (Listed) at Churchill Downs.

          Run at 1 ½ miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course, Ayra Stark (ARG) will break from post No. 3 under jockey Jose Ortiz. Trained by Horacio De Paz, the 6-year-old finished runner-up to Speed Shopper in the Christophe Clement (GIII) and runner-up to Sultana in the Orchid (GIII) at Gulfstream Park. As a 4-year-old in Argentina, Ayra Stark (ARG) won the Ramon Biaus (GII) at Hipodromo Argentino De Palermo.

          The Keertana will go as the featured ninth race on Saturday’s 11-race program with a post time of 4:56 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 12:45 p.m.

          The lineup for the Keertana in order of post position (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):

  • Sultana (Junior Alvarado, Kevin Attard, 3-1)
  • Awesomesauce (Irad Ortiz Jr., Joe Sharp, 8-1)
  • Ayra Stark (ARG) (Jose Ortiz, De Paz, 9-5)
  • Golden Sunshine (Jaime Torres, Eoin Harty, 4-1)
  • Way to Be Marie (Luis Saez, Eddie Kenneally, 6-1)
  • Virgin Colada (Tyler Gaffalione, Mike Maker, 15-1)
  • Queens Command (IRE) (Ben Curtis, Joe Sharp, 20-1)
  • Venencia (FR) (Vincent Cheminaud, Saffie Joseph Jr., 12-1)

DERBY CITY 6 JACKPOT RISES TO $134,094 FOR FRIDAY’S CARD – Horseplayers will have a substantial jackpot to chase Friday at Churchill Downs with the Derby City 6 Jackpot standing at $134,094.

          The Derby City 6 Jackpot has a 20-cent minimum denomination with low 15% takeout and requires bettors to have the only winning ticket to take down the jackpot. If there are multiple winning tickets, 90% of the day’s pool is paid out with 10% carrying to the next race day. If there are no winning tickets, the entire day’s pool is carried to the next race day.

Friday’s wager covers Races 4-9, beginning at 2:13 p.m. (all times Eastern):

  • Race 4 (2:13 p.m.), Clm 16000b, 3yo and up, 6 F (eight entries)
  • Race 5 (2:45 p.m.), Alw 30000s, 3yo and up f&m, 7 F (seven entries)
  • Race 6 (3:18 p.m.), Clm 75000, 4yo and up, 1 M (12 entries)
  • Race 7 (3:50 p.m.), Mdn 120k, 3yo and up f&m, 1 M (16 entries, 12 eligible to run)
  • Race 8 (4:22 p.m.), OC 100000n3x, 3yo and up, 6 F (six entries)
  • Race 9 (4:55 p.m.), Alw 50000s, 3yo and up, 1 M (14 entries, 12 eligible to run)

The main track was sealed Friday at 9 a.m. and listed as sloppy. The day’s three turf races were taken off and transferred to the main track.

ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK

Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com.