Jockey Daniel Centeno rides three winners
LAUREL, MD – Tidewater likely earned his way back into the Maryland Million Turf Sprint with a rallying victory in Sunday’s featured seventh race at Laurel Park, a second-level allowance with a $40,000 claiming option for 3-year-olds and upward at 5 ½ furlongs on the Exceller grass course.
Tidewater is no stranger to the Maryland Million. As a 3-year-old in 2023, he finished a closing second to classy Witty in the Turf Sprint. While victories had been few and far between – he was 1 for 14 after the turf sprint – the Outflanker gelding usually showed up with reasonable efforts.
Today, with new rider Jeiron Barbosa on his back, Tidewater put all the pieces together. Barbosa gave him a vigorous warmup leaving the post parade, and the gelding broke nicely before settling into a midpack position while saving ground.
“We knew there was going to be a lot of speed in there,” said winning trainer Anthony “TJ” Aguirre Jr. “The main thing is, don’t let them get too far away from me. At the end of the day, you don’t want them too far in front. Basically, it was to get a good break, and get a good position right behind those front-runners.”
Meanwhile, Speed Figures showed high speed from the start. The Monmouth invader set fractions of 22.39 and 44.69 seconds while prompted by favored Swill.
Barbosa shuffled back a spot when Saxton and jockey Sheldon Russell usurped his coveted pocket position, but the rider didn’t panic.
“Sheldon came and tucks in front of us, and we had to take a hold,” Aguirre said. “But [Barbosa] said he was just loaded. He just felt him the whole way.”
Barbosa angled Tidewater out for room as they turned into the long stretch, and they started eating up the ground. Under the wire, it was Tidewater by a length over Speed Figures. Swill placed another half-length behind in third.
Where’s Ray finished fourth with Uncle Dar and Saxton in a dead-heat for fifth. Maya Prince and Lucci completed the field.
Tidewater ran the distance in 1:02.38 over the good course and returned $19.80 to win. Big Z Og, Monsieur Candy, Uncle Cat, Tenebris, Quick Tempo, Bolt of Aurum, Take a Hint, and Nothing Better scratched.
“This horse has been begging for a rider not to be afraid of him,” Aguirre said. “Ride him confidently. I know he’s a little horse, but he can do it. He understands the assignment.
Although Tidewater failed to win in his first six starts this year, Aguirre was pleased with the way his charge was training.
“This year, he came back with a little bit more grudge,” Aguirre explained. “He’s come back with a different training idea. He’s more aggressive now in his training than he’s ever been before.”
Foaled in Maryland, Tidewater is a homebred owned by Little Man Farm. The half-brother to stakes-winning router Lotsa Mischief from the family of champion Countess Diana only has 13 days to prepare for the Maryland Million Turf Sprint, but Aguirre feels Tidewater is up to the challenge.
“That’s the goal,” Aguirre concluded. “This was just a prep to get him ready for that race because it’s been a month since he ran at Colonial. It was one of those things where [he could get] some confidence. Let’s go in there. Let’s win it and set up for the stake. He’s the little horse that could. He’s a great little guy.”
*Jockey Daniel Centeno rides three winners
Jockey Daniel Centeno rode three winners on the Sunday program, all on the turf, and two for trainer Cal Lynch.
Centeno’s big day began aboard Bella Estrela ($7) in the third race, a one-mile starter allowance for fillies and mares. Trained by Keri Brion, Bella Estrela rallied from midpack to prevail by a half-length.
Centeno and Lynch then swept the late Daily Double with Stop Watch ($7.80) and My Grey Humor ($8.80), respectively. A 3-year-old filly by Not This Time, Stop Watch steadied in the upper stretch before re-rallying in between horses to win a first-level allowance at 1 1/16 miles.
My Grey Humor, a 3-year-old filly by City of Light, was a gate-to-wire winner of the finale, a $16,000 maiden claimer at 5 ½ furlongs.
Around the track:
Jockey Johan Rosado accomplished a riding double on Sunday. Rosado utilized late-running tactics to win the first race aboard Query ($21.40) and the eighth race on Backstretch Rose ($17.80)…Live racing resumes on Friday with a nine-race program. The first post time is 12:10 pm ET, and there are two “Value Pick 5” wagers (first five races; last five races) with a low 12% takeout rate…Dive into deliciousness with Laurel Park’s Oyster Fest on Saturday, October 4 between noon and 4 pm ET. We’re proud to feature the incredible flavors of True Chesapeake, alongside other top-notch vendors offering their best. This is your chance to enjoy and savor a variety of fresh oysters and pair them with your favorite beverages. Click here to learn more.
