On Wednesday at Tampa Bay Downs, Daniel Centeno will attempt to continue one of his most significant riding hot streaks.
Centeno reached a milestone on Saturday when he rode his 3,000th career winner in North America.
In the day's tenth race at the Oldsmar, Fla., track, he rode Lucy's Town to a victory by a nose over Postino's Idol.
Centeno, who is 49, became the 182nd jockey to ride 3,000 winners in North America. He also has ridden 847 winners in his native Venezuela.
Centeno followed up his historic victory by riding three winners at Tampa Bay on Sunday. Tampa Bay was dark, as usual on Monday and Tuesday.
He has four mounts on Wednesday's card--on races two through five.
First post is 12:42 p.m. for a nine-race card.
“I don’t have words right now," Centeno said following Saturday's win. "I'm feeling so great, grateful and blessed to make 3,000. Especially here at Tampa. This place made Daniel Centeno.”
NOTE--Photo on home page is Centeno in the winner's circle with his daughter Jazmyn (center) and girlfriend Brooke Sillaman.
He is No. 1 all-time at Tampa Bay in total victories, with 1,377, and stakes triumphs, with 50. He has led Tampa Bay jockeys in victories a record six times.
Wednesday is the 21st day of Tampa Bay's 88-day meet,
Centeno is going in with 16 wins. He is third in the standings. behind Samy Camacho with 29 and Antonio Gallardo with 27.
In North America, he has 3,003 wins in 16,362 starts. Most of his non-Tampa Bay wins have been at tracks in northeastern states--including Monmouth Park, Laurel Park and Delaware Park.
Centeno's first win at Tampa Bay Downs was on Dec. 18, 2004, his 33rd birthday,. – aboard 39-1 shot Marked Native for owner-trainer Edward T. Clark.
His 3,000th win came in a starter allowance at one mile in a race that was part of the Tampa Turf Test series. Lucy’s Town, a 7-year-old mare is owned by K12, LLC and trained by Jose H. Delgado.
Centeno's three winners on Sunday were:
*First race--Lady Breanna, 6-year-old Florida-bred mare, for breeder-owner J J Brevan Stable and trainer Gerald Bennett.
*Sixth race-- Fire Marshall Bill, a 4-year-old gelding bred and owned by Thoroughbred Racing Nation and trained by Tim Glyshaw.
*Ninth race -- on the turf with Lexophilia, a 4-year-old daughter of the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, owned by Team Valor International and trained by Arnaud Delacour.