Jockey Centeno takes two stakes on Virginia-focused day

Daniel Centeno enjoyed the most productive afternoon when Thoroughbreds with Virginia roots took center stage Saturday at Laurel Park.

Centeno was the winning jockey in two of four stakes restricted to horses bred or sired in Virginia: Homespun Hero in the Meadow Stable, and Paulita in the William M. Backer.

Because of soggy conditions from heavy recent rain, all Saturday races scheduled for turf at the Laurel, Md., track – including all four stakes – were transferred to the dirt, a development that led to several notable scratches and mostly short fields. The main track was rated fast throughout a 10-race card.

Saturday was the second of three stakes dates this year at Laurel for Virginia horses. The first was June 23 and the third will be Sept. 22.

Here’s a rundown of each race:

► Homespun Hero ($10), always prominent while racing closest to the rail, turned back a couple of stretch bids when capturing the $75,000 Meadow Stable by a length over Determined Vision.

Homespun Hero, a 5-year-old horse by Hard Spun, is trained by Mark Shuman for Tag Stables LLC and Bedlam. Just four 3-year-olds and upward started in the 5 1/2-furlong race, which was timed in 1:03.89.

The Meadow Stable is named for the famed Virginia breeding and racing operation that produced the great Secretariat.

► River Deep ($3.60) led from the outset of the $75,000 Hansel, romping by 7 1/4 lengths under Sheldon Russell when finishing a mile in a solid 1:36.68. Carbon Data was second in a field of six 3-year-olds and upward.

Trained by Phil Schoenthal for Morgan’s Ford Farm, River Deep was winning for the first time this year after reeling off a four-race win streak at Laurel last fall. Schoenthal said he will point the 4-year-old Arch colt to the Sept. 22 Bert Allen for Virginia-breds at Laurel.

► Paulita ($3.40), who only made the lineup as a main-track-only entrant, edged away from Queen Caroline in winning the $75,000 William M. Backer by two lengths. Just five fillies and mares started in the one-mile race, which went in 1:38.23.

In a fitting twist, Paulita was bred by the race namesake, the late Bill Backer of television-advertising fame. The 3-year-old Scat Daddy filly was making her first start since being purchased by Hat Creek Racing, who turned her over to trainer Arnaud Delacour at Fair Hill training center.

► Altamura ($9.80), making her first start since being privately purchased by Susan Moulton, turned back favored Up Hill Battle before finishing 1 1/4 lengths ahead of What the Beep in a field of eight fillies and mares in the $75,000 Camptown.

Altamura completed 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.78 when ridden by Channing Hill for his father-in-law, trainer Wayne Catalano. The 3-year-old Artie Schiller filly now has won her last three starts, all at Laurel, including the June 23 Gilpin over turf. She is now based at Churchill Downs with Catalano.