Joel Rosario was named outstanding jockey of 2013 at the ESPYS Presented by Capital One July 17 during an awards ceremony held in downtown Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.
Rosario, who rode Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Orb to victory in what has been a career-best season so far, was among other top professional athletes such as LeBron James (Best Championship Performance), Michael Phelps (Best Record-Breaking Performance), and The Miami Heat (Best Team) honored during the event hosted by Mad Men star Jon Hamm.
The jockey attended pre-event festivities July 16 but did not attend the ceremony; he was riding at Del Mar where he won four races on the opening day card.
Rosario beat Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, former rider Ramon Dominguez, and Javier Castellano for the award. As of July 17 he leads the nation in both wins and earnings, with 196 victories from 828 starts for purses of $13,417,576 and a 24% win rate. Represented by agent Ron Anderson, he is finishing in the money 56% of the time.
Rosario is named on 11 mounts for the July 19 opening day card at Saratoga Race Course and 12 on the July 20 card. His stakes runners over the weekend are Politicallycorrect in the $100,000 James Marvin Stakes (gr. III), Silver Valley in the $150,000 Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III), Flashy American in the $200,000 Shuvee Handicap (gr. III), and My Happy Face in the $300,000 TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I).
The ESPYS are annual awards—presented during a show broadcast by ESPN—that honor the greatest achievements and stories in American athletics.