Centeno on sideline after spill

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Daniel Centeno, three time leading rider at Tampa Bay Downs and the current leader in the jockey standings with 106 victories this season, will be sidelined until Wednesday as he recuperates from injuries sustained in a spill that occurred during the running of Thursday's eighth race.

Centeno was aboard My Power Bullet and was sitting just off the lead as the field approached the first turn of that eight-furlong turf race. Laurels for Eunice, who was racing along the rail, appeared either to brush or shy from the rail and swerved out under apprentice Kristina McManigel to drop in front of My Power Bullet, who in turn clipped Laurels for Eunice's heels and fell heavily.

Livalicious, who was near the rear of the pack, attempted to avoid the fallen horse and rider but did appear to clip Centeno in the back with her hooves as jockey Stevica Djuric was becoming unseated at the same time. Djuric escaped injury in the incident.

Centeno was taken to a local hospital, where examination revealed no serious injuries. Centeno did, however, suffer substantial bruising and soreness in his shoulder and back, according to his agent, Dan Mellul.

"He's very sore and banged up, and since he's been going hard since the meeting's begun and has already had to recover from some previous spills, we felt it was a wise for him to take a few days off and get some well needed rest," Mellul said. "We'll be back next Wednesday."

Laurels for Eunice, who eventually finished second, was disqualified and placed last. My Power Bullet escaped serious injury.