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Red-Hot Apprentice Crispin Rides Four Winners On Laurel’s Sunday Card

Five-pound apprentice jockey Alexander Crispin continued his sizzling start to the new year by riding four winners on Sunday's nine-race program at Laurel Park in Maryland.

Crispin, 22, began his big day with back-to-back victories aboard Cinconola ($18.20) in Race 2 and favored Xmasinthecity ($3.40) in Race 3, and followed up with wins on McElmore Avenue ($3) in Race 6 and Zabracadabra ($7) in Race 8.

A native of Puerto Rico, Cripsin has eight wins over the first three days of Laurel's 2021 winter meet that began New Year's Day, including a riding triple Saturday.

“I feel pretty good on how things are going. All the hard work is paying off,” Crispin said. “I really appreciate all the trainers and owners giving me the opportunity. So far so good. Everything's been good. I appreciate everything that's going on today and the past few days.”

Expected to be up for voting as North America's leading apprentice jockey when the Eclipse Award finalists are announced Jan. 16, Crispin graduated from Puerto Rico's famed Escuela Vocacional Hipica jockey school in December 2019 and made his pro debut last Jan. 1 at Hipodromo Camarero.

After coming to the U.S. late last winter, Cripsin was fifth in his mainland debut aboard Time Marches On March 7, 2020, at Turfway Park. He continued to ride in the Midwest, picking up his first win March 12, 2020, on Thorpe d'Oro at Turfway, until moving his tack to Delaware Park for the summer.

Crispin finished the Delaware meet as its leading apprentice rider, ranking second overall with 58 wins and fourth with more than $1.3 million in purse earnings. He arrived in Maryland in late October, two weeks into Laurel Park's fall meet, and wound up ranking first among bug boys and third overall with 29 wins, banking $725,920 in purses earned.

“It started out a little bit tough but I maintained a positive mind and kept working hard,” Cripsin said. “I came every day to work and kept persevering and believing in myself.”

Crispin's wins have come for trainers Gary Capuano, Mary Eppler, Mike Trombetta, Anthony Pecoraro, Kieron Magee, Charlie Frock and Maryland's four-time defending champion Claudio Gonzalez. In addition to his wins, he has one second and six thirds in 22 mounts, finishing in the top three at 68 percent clip.

According to Equibase statistics, Crispin finished 2020 with 103 wins and $2,194,030 in purse earnings from 539 mounts. Maryland-based riders have won 11 of 46 Eclipse Awards as leading apprentice, most recently Weston Hamilton in 2018.

“Everyone helps me out. They come to me and tell me if I need something or maybe get better at doing a certain thing I was doing,” Crispin said. “Everybody likes seeing me doing good. They give me good advice. They are always supporting me so appreciate all they do for me. It's been big for my year. It means a lot to me.”

Notes: Jockey Sheldon Russell and trainer Dale Capuano teamed up to bookend Sunday's program by winning Race 1 with Thunderturtle ($8.20) and Race 9 with Hello Gracie ($6.80) … The 20-cent Rainbow 6 was solved Sunday for a jackpot payout of $4,139.20 … Live racing returns Friday, Jan. 8 with a nine-race card starting at 12:25 p.m.

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‘You Get A Taste Of That And You Want More’: Recent Success Has Amoss Moving In New Direction

In a “been there, done that” kind of career, Tom Amoss has seen a lot of highs around the famed Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots oval. The New Orleans native and LSU graduate has won the local trainer's title an amazing 11 times, to go with countless local stakes as well, and he was voted into the Fair Grounds Hall of Fame in 1998. But even for someone with Amoss' gaudy resume, the recent tear he's been on has been otherworldly, and it has him in contention for title number 12.

Amoss last won the Fair Grounds trainer's title in 2014-15, and, after a 2-for-16 start to the meet, he didn't figure to seriously threaten atop the standings as 2020 turned to 2021. The landscape changed in a hurry, however, as the New Orleans native is now in the midst of a wild 11-for-23 streak which began on December 18. Following his win in the Saturday finale with Defeater, his second of the day, Amoss snagged a tenuous one-win lead over four-time defending champion Brad Cox.

“Obviously, you have some hope going into the races, but racing luck can play a lot into the outcome of races,” Amoss said. “I think, in the end, as a trainer, you'd like to get rid of those peaks and valleys and kind of steady somewhere in between, but it doesn't work like that. So, when the barn is clicking it's just time to get out of the way. When it's not going well—and it was not going well at the beginning of the meet—you have to do what you always do when you get in one of those kind of sour streaks; you've got to continue to do the job as you always would, enter, and not hit the panic button.”

My Boy Gus is the type of horse Amoss built his career on, and the type that helped him win 11 local titles, as he claimed the 3-year-old for $40,000 out of his debut at Churchill Downs and immediately won right back with him. But as time has moved on, so have the goals of a stable that grown by leaps and bounds. Amoss won Churchill's Kentucky Oaks (G1) with Serengeti Empress in 2019 and last year's Woody Stephens (G1) at Belmont Park with No Parole. After tasting success at racing's highest level, there's little wonder he wants more.

“We're moving in a little bit of a different direction,” Amoss said. “Don't get me wrong; claiming has always been our bread and butter and will continue to be so. But you get a taste of a horse you develop like Serengeti Empress and one trip to that winner's circle on Kentucky Oaks Day and to that infield—a place where they don't take any win pictures except the Derby and the Oaks—you get a taste of that and you want more.”

With a stable that now plays on the national scene, winning his 12th local title wasn't on top of the “to do” list as 2021 dawned. Amoss looked back fondly on when he was in the midst of building his local Hall of Fame resume, then pondered how another plaque on the wall of the barn would feel.

“If you asked me that question—what would winning the Fair Grounds title mean—10-to-15 years ago, I would have told you it means a lot—because it did,” Amoss said. “Fair Grounds was our major emphasis in the winter and the bulk of our horses were down here. And it was a great motivator to our barn, which works so hard all meet. But a lot has changed since then and what kind of stable we have. If we win the training title it's great, but it's not going to have the meaning it once did. And I don't mean to take anything away from something that would be an accomplishment for sure, but it's not an emphasis.”

No Parole fits the profile of the new-age Amoss horse. Purchased for $75,000 as a yearling, he won on debut here in his lone start at 2 and then went on to much greater heights at 3. Last year, the newly minted 4-year-old Louisiana-bred son of Violence won the LA Bred Premier Night Prince Stakes at Delta Downs in February then tried Triple Crown hopefuls in Oaklawn's Rebel (G2) a month later, where he was eighth. Amoss cut No Parole back and he won an optional-claimer there in April before winning the Stephens at Belmont to announce his presence as one of the top sophomore sprinters in the country. No Parole was ninth in the Allen Jerkens (G1) at Saratoga in August and sixth in the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) at Keeneland in October before Amoss decided he needed a break. He's worked twice since, including a 4-furlong move in a local 48.20 January 2, which has Amoss looking forward to a big 2021.

“He worked very well and showed he's getting ready very quickly,” Amoss said. “It would not be surprising to see him in the entry box sometime at the end of January or the beginning of February. He was great for us as a 3-year-old. He won a grade 1 in New York but horses, specifically sprinters, it's hard to keep them at the top of their game year-round. He tailed off, and that's not unusual, so it was time to give him a rest and get him ready for his 4-year-old year.”

While No Parole set the bar mighty high winning a grade 1 last year, Amoss has a slew of young horses he's looking forward to this year. He won with first-time starter Save here New Year's Day and sent out the highly-regarded Defeater to win the Saturday finale. The 3-year—old son of Union Rags was a $210,000 yearling purchase and ran to that price tag when he ran down a heavily favored Godolphin blueblooded entry. Prior to the race Amoss wasn't sure Defeater would win on debut, which only speaks to his talent, and his future.

“Defeater is a very, very nice colt but he comes with some difficulties for a trainer,” Amoss said. “He's not a precocious gate horse. Any of the young horses that are coming up like him, these are developing young horses and no matter how hard you try, you can't rush that development because a lot of that is getting physically bigger and stronger, as well as mentally understanding the racing. But make no mistake about it, Defeater is a runner.”

And Amoss, is a winner.

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Tampa Bay Downs All-Time Leading Rider Centeno Hits 3,000-Win Milestone

Daniel Centeno's first visit to the Tampa Bay Downs winner's circle came on Dec. 18, 2004 – his 33rd birthday – after he rode 39-1 shot Marked Native to victory for owner-trainer Edward T. Clark.

“Nobody knew who I was then,” Centeno said, laughing at the memory.

Painstakingly (as nothing comes easy in Thoroughbred racing, appearances notwithstanding), Centeno has built a reputation as a leading jockey up and down the East Coast, winning eight graded stakes races and capturing a record six Oldsmar riding titles. He is No. 1 all-time at Tampa Bay in total victories, with 1,377, and stakes triumphs, with 50.

On Saturday, in the most dramatic fashion imaginable, Centeno joined an exclusive fraternity, earning career victory No. 3,000 in North America in the 10th race, the Fillies and Mares Division of the Tampa Turf Test. The product of Caracas, Venezuela, rode 7-year-old mare Lucy's Town to a nose victory from Postino's Idol in the one-mile starter handicap for owner K12, LLC and trainer Jose H. Delgado. Catsoutofthebag finished third in the 10-horse field.

Centeno is one of 182 jockeys to ride 3,000 winners in the Northern Hemisphere. He won 847 races in Venezuela.

His 12-year-old daughter, Jazmyn, and his girlfriend, Brooke Sillaman, were in attendance.

“I don't have words right now. I'm feeling so great, grateful and blessed to make 3,000,” he said. “Especially here at Tampa. This place made Daniel Centeno.”

Lucy's Town usually races from far back, and today was no exception. Centeno encountered plenty of traffic on the turn for home, and had to split horses late to take the lead before holding on for the victory.

“I was all over the place. I had to find room because I had plenty of horse,” Centeno said. “She responded right away when we found an opening and when she crossed the wire, I knew she got it.”

Centeno had taken time earlier in the week to reflect on the approaching milestone.

“It would mean a lot to me to be in that group, winning 3,000 races in the United States,” Centeno said. “I started riding (in 2003) at Thistledown and spent some time after that at Mountaineer and Finger Lakes, and over time I started riding for better trainers and getting on a better quality of horse. My goals were to keep learning every day and to become a better jockey.

“I'm thankful to all the people who have supported me – my family and friends, the fans and all the people on the backside who make everything possible. I took a long road to get here, but it's not just me. All the trainers, owners, grooms and exercise riders deserve a lot of credit.”

Centeno has proven over the years he can perform on a larger stage. His graded-stakes triumphs include the then-Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby in 2009 on Musket Man and the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby in 2014 on Ring Weekend.

Centeno won the 2020 Grade 3 Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes on Jehozacat for trainer Arnaud Delacour and captured the Grade 2 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on Oct. 3 at Pimlico on Miss Marissa for James Ryerson.

“It was very emotional winning that race on Preakness Day,” said Centeno, who rode Always Mining to an unplaced finish in the 2019 Preakness after winning five consecutive stakes on the gelding. “To win a Grade 2 on a big day like that was very exciting.”

Centeno has two children – Daniel, 21, and Jazmyn – and his girlfriend Brooke, whose father Richard Sillaman is a trainer in the mid-Atlantic region. The jockey's mother, Ligia, lives with him at his Tampa home. Centeno's father, Enrique Centeno, is a former boxer and current fight trainer who will send Roger Gutierrez into the ring Saturday night in Dallas against champion Rene Alvarado for the WBA super featherweight title.

At a racetrack that has witnessed its share of dominant jockeys – including Mike Manganello, Ronnie Allen, Jr., Ricardo Lopez, Willie Martinez, William Henry and Antonio Gallardo – the crown fit Centeno longest, and best. In addition to having the most victories and most stakes victories here, Centeno's six season titles are the same number as Manganello, best known for riding Dust Commander to a 1970 Kentucky Derby victory.

From 2006-2010, Centeno strung together four consecutive Oldsmar riding championships while averaging 1.48 winners per performance. He set the track's single-season record for victories with 144 in 2007-2008 (Gallardo bettered it in 2014-2015 with 147).

Along the way, Centeno has displayed a level of professionalism and attention to detail that is difficult to match. On many occasions, he will pause along the rail after weighing in to watch a race replay on the jumbo video board in the infield, reviewing not only his own ride but other jockeys' stratagems and filing the information away for upcoming races.

“He does his homework, watches replays and reads the form,” said John Weilbacher, his agent at Tampa Bay Downs. “Horsemen respect his opinion, and he'll tell a trainer if he thinks a horse would run better with or without blinkers, or going longer or shorter. I never have to worry about his preparation.”

Centeno's focus moving forward is to find a few horses for the track's graded races in February and March. Beyond that, “the No. 1 thing right now is to stay healthy, keep working hard and win as many races as I can,” he said.

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‘Never Give Up’: Jockey Carol Cedeno Rides 1,000th Career Winner

Newtown Anner Stud Farm's Perpetrate emerged from a three-way photo finish a head in front of Hard Sting to give jockey Carol Cedeno her 1,000th career victory Saturday at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md.

A New York-bred son of Distorted Humor racing for the first time for trainer Miguel Vera, Perpetrate ($9.60) ran one mile in 1:39.59 over a muddy and sealed main track in the claiming event for 4-year-olds and up for her second win in six lifetime starts.

Earlier on Saturday's program, the 31-year-old Cedeno finished second by a neck as the favorite aboard Kieron Magee owned-and-trained Halfinthewrapper in Race 2, a 5 ½-furlong claiming sprint.

“I'm so happy because not too many girls from Puerto Rico come here and do good,” Cedeno said. “When I came to the U.S., everybody gave me a hand and I appreciate that. Everybody helped me, the trainers and owners. Everybody was happy with my job and they keep helping me. Thank God I'm doing good.”

Cedeno had limited exposure to horses growing up in Puerto Rico before attending jockey school, coming to the U.S. shortly after graduating at the age of 18. She rode five winners at El Commandante – renamed Hipodromo Camarero in 2007 – prior to her arrival, making her mainland debut April 9, 2007, at Philadelphia Park.

It was at Philadelphia Park April 24, 2007, where Cedeno registered her first career victory aboard Coco's Gold, a 4-year-old filly trained by Keith LeBarron. Cedeno finished her rookie season with 120 wins from 989 mounts, both career highs.

The mother of two children, ages 11 and 8, Cedeno has made the occasional return to ride in Puerto Rico, as recently as last March, when she won aboard New Year Express at Camarero.

“I know they are watching me. It's hard because I want to spend more time with my kids,” Cedeno said. “My mom, she helps me. They're getting big and they ask me all the time to be with them, and I try to do my best.”

Cedeno settled Perpetrate between horses in the backstretch as Classy Solution and Company Clown battled for the lead through splits of 24.16 and 47.70 seconds. Perpetrate began moving up on the far turn and straightened for home with work to do, but came with a steady run through traffic to edge Hard Sting along the rail and Martini Lane on her outside for the win.

Jockey Julian Pimentel, aboard sixth-place finisher Lasting Image, lodged an objection against Perpetrate for interference in the stretch, but the claim was dismissed following a stewards' inquiry.

A multiple graded-stakes placed jockey, Cedeno set a career high with $2,818,981 in purse earnings in 2020, reaching triple digits in wins for the fourth time (112), all in the last five years. She finished tied for fifth at Laurel's truncated winter meet with 19 wins from 83 mounts.

Cedeno is a six-time leading rider at Delaware Park, tying Michael McCarthy – father of five-time Maryland riding champion Trevor McCarthy – for the most in track history. She has finished first in 2014, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020, ranking second in 2017.

On July 11, 2018, Cedeno set a Delaware Park record with seven winners on a 10-race card. The previous mark had stood for more than six decades and was shared by six previous riders.

Among the best horses Cedeno has ridden are 2019 First State Dash winner Golden Candy, multiple stakes winner Speechifying, 2009 Violet (G2) runner-up Always for Love and stakes-placed Maryland-bred Dancer's Melody.

“Just working hard, never give up,” Cedeno said of the secret to her success. “Sometimes you have bad moments. Never give up, just keep working hard and coming back.”

Notes: Five-pound apprentice Alexander Crispin tripled Saturday aboard Paisley Singing ($16) in Race 2, Blue Sky Painter ($6.40) in Race 6 and Feature Act ($8.40) in Race 7 … Bruno Mathias' 3-year-old Empire Maker colt Eric's Empire ($19.40), winless in four starts at 2, sprung an 8-1 upset of Saturday's opener, a one-mile maiden special weight for sophomores. The winning time was 1:41.30 … There will be carryovers of $1,700.18 in the 20-cent Rainbow 6 (Races 4-9) and $537.34 in the $1 Super Hi-5 (Race 1) for Sunday's nine-race program that begins at 12:25 p.m. Tickets with four of six winners in Saturday's Rainbow 6 returned $191.56.

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