Colonial: Running Tide takes to turf

Running Tide ($15), a lightly raced 6-year-old with no previous turf experience, responded to the surface change by edging past pacesetter Mt. Carson to earn a 1 1/4-length victory in the $60,000 Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs.

As a 3-year-old in 2002, Running Tide won two stakes, including the Grade 3 Leonard Richards at Delaware Park. But he went 0 for 3 as a 4-year-old, missed all of last year, and was outrun sprinting in his only start this season.

Trainer Rodney Jenkins experimented by giving Running Tide two long workouts over the Colonial turf to prepare him for the Da Hoss. Ridden by Ryan Fogelsonger, Running Tide drew even with Mt. Carson entering the stretch, took a short lead at the sixteenth pole, and was pulling away at the finish. He covered a mile on firm turf in 1:35.85 for his sixth win in 10 starts.

The original field of 11 was reduced by five scratches, including probable heavy favorite Mr. O'Brien, who has not raced since last fall's Breeders' Cup Mile.