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Against few, Centeno wins most at Downs

The race was a microcosm of his season: few challengers and victory by a wide margin.

By DON JENSEN Times Correspondent
Published April 14, 2007

OLDSMAR - The race was a microcosm of his season: few challengers and victory by a wide margin.

As rain forced fans inside Tampa Bay Downs on Tuesday, jockey Daniel Centeno made sure nothing rained on his parade. His mount, Ide Rejoice, faced only two rivals after the eighth race was taken off the turf and onto the main track, resulting in six scratches.

The 6-year-old chestnut gelding, trained by Bruce Alexander for owner John Hayek, didn't let Centeno down in the $25,000 claiming event, winning the 11/16-mile race by 11 1/4 lengths as the 3-5 favorite. It was Centeno's 124th victory at the Downs' meet, a record that tops the previous mark held by William Henry (1992-93) and Willie Martinez (1991-92).

"It felt like a stakes because it was the win I needed to break the record," Centeno said. "It was a little scary when I heard they went off the grass, but the horse ran anyway and won."

Records at the Downs only date to 1980, but track spokeswoman Margo Flynn said Centeno probably has the Downs' 81-year record since the Oldsmar facility used to run shorter meets.

That isn't the only accomplishment for the 35-year-old native of Caracas, Venezuela. With only 12 days left in the Downs' meet, Centeno has virtually wrapped up his first career riding championship. He leads the jockey standings by more than 40 victories over Carlos Montalvo and defending champion Jose Lezcano, both of whom have left for other tracks. Centeno's track purse earnings of $1,628,101, surpasses Lezcano's record of $1,391,755 last year. The win put him ahead of Russell Baze in the national standings.

Centeno expects to compete at the Downs only three more times (April 23-24, May 5). He is riding at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, then will go to Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens. "I love Tampa and want to come back (next year)," he said. "We'll have to wait and see what happens this summer."

Centeno has surpassed his previous combined two-year numbers at the Downs: 104 victories, $1,246,583 in purse earnings and one stakes win. He has captured two stakes this season: Suncoast Stakes (Autobahn Girl) and Turf Dash (Lookinforthesecret).

On 82 cards, Centeno has won at least once 62 times.

"I just tried to be leading rider, but I never thought the record would ever happen," Centeno said. "All of my horses ran so good."

MORE HORSES: Leading trainer Lynne Scace, who has matched her career high with 29 victories, will be an addition to the Delaware Park season that runs April 28-Nov. 4. Scace will stable about 40 horses at Delaware Park. In the past, Scace raced at Monmouth Park.

GREYHOUNDS: Greys Huntington of Lester Raines Kennel is the only undefeated greyhound heading into third-round qualifying for the $100,000 Distance Classic at Derby Lane tonight in St. Petersburg. Greys Huntington is the points leader with 32, followed by Greys Touch Gold of D'Arcy and Lazy K Newsman of Filipelli & O'Donnell at 26 apiece. Final qualifying is Wednesday with the top eight dogs advancing to the 660-yard championship race on April 21.

FIVE FOR DERBY: Trainer Todd Pletcher set his tentative lineup for the Kentucky Derby with a record-equaling five horses: Any Given Saturday, Circular Quay, Cowton Cat, Scat Daddy and Sam. P. If all five run, it would match records set by Wayne Lukas (1996) and Nick Zito (2005). He may have another Derby prospect in Deadly Dealer, who is running in today's $1-million Arkansas Derby.

RECORD-BREAKER FOR SALE: Robert C. Tanklage and Wesley Ward's One Hot Wish, a 2-year-old filly who set a world record time of 48.87 seconds for 4 1/2 furlongs in her career debut Thursday at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., will be sold at Tuesday's April 2-year-olds in training sale.

Information from Times wires contributed to this report.

[Last modified April 13, 2007, 23:33:46]