JIM’S PROSPECT GETS REVENGE IN WIDE COUNTRY STAKES
LAUREL, MD. 03-06-10---Jim’s Prospect, who finished second to post time favorite Gator Prowl in their previous two meetings, turned the tables on her rival as well as six other 3-year-old fillies and won today’s feature at Laurel Park, the $70,000 Wide Country Stakes.
Owned by the Estate of James Glenn, Jim’s Prospect rallied three wide into the lane, caught That’s How I Roll in mid-stretch and outmuscled her to the finish to win by a head. Vladimir Diaz rode the daughter of St Averil for trainer J.B. Secor, completing the seven-furlong distance in 1:24.67 over the fast main track. Gator Prowl led into the stretch but faded and finished third.
“I was hoping to get by Gator Prowl sooner or later,” Diaz said. “The distance helped her a lot. When I saw the first quarter and Gator Prowl not getting away with an easy lead it made me feel confident.”
Jim’s Prospect, who had also finished behind That’s How I Roll and fourth place finisher Imanheiress in earlier starts, paid $9. She topped a $85.20 exacta and a $237.80 triple.
Secor took over training duties on Jan. 1 when previous conditioner Carlos Garcia retired to become a jockey agent.
“The reins were pretty well taken care of and were in pretty good condition,” Secor said. “I think she’s going to get better as time goes on.”
Garcia now represents Diaz, who has moved his tack to Maryland from Penn National. The 32-year-old portrayed jockey Jacinto Vasquez in the movie “Ruffian” three years ago.
“This is a tremendous opportunity,” added Diaz.
Jim’s Prospect is now two-of-seven lifetime with six in the money finishes for earnings of $94,560.
KARAMANOS RETURNS TO JOCKEY COLONY
Veteran jockey Horacio Karamanos will be returning to the Maryland jockey colony next week after spending the last 16 months riding at San Isidro Racecourse in his native Argentina. Agent Kevin Witte indicated his rider would be breezing horses at Laurel Park Tuesday morning and has secured one mount for Wednesday’s card.
“He loves to win and does everything in his power to give him that edge,” Witte said. “He studies race replays of horses that he’s going to ride and is always looking at the Form to see tactically where he should be in a race to give him the best opportunity to win. The bottom line he is just a tenacious guy when it comes to getting to the wire first. Sometimes he can be too aggressive but he always wants to win.”
The 36-year-old spent seven years (2002-2008) at the major Maryland tracks, winning nearly 750 races with three riding titles at Laurel Park and Pimlico. He established a Laurel record with a career-best seven victories on Oct. 26, 2002.
Karamanos will be aboard Yankee Sweetheart in Wednesday’s 8th race feature for trainer Chris Grove.
-mjc-
Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club
410-578-4461 (Pimlico)
301-470-5461 (Laurel Park)
240-876-7403 (Mobile)
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