Chris Rosier had never ridden in a graded stakes race before the Arkansas Derby (G2), when he guided Summer Bird to a rallying third-place finish, and now he is headed to the biggest stage of all in the Kentucky Derby (G1). A promising apprentice at the beginning of this decade, Rosier was among those featured on the HBO documentary "Jockey," but he lacked a rigorous work ethic and failed to follow through on his potential. After breaking his collarbone in 2004, he lost his eyesight for a time and was diagnosed with diabetes. Rosier stopped riding in races for nearly two years. He returned to full-time riding last summer, and teamed up with trainer Tim Ice. Rosier gallops Ice's horses in the mornings in addition to piloting them on raceday.
