Strong day for Santa Anita apprentices

ARCADIA, Calif. – Apprentice jockeys Alexis Centeno, Emily Ellingwood, and Jessica Pyfer each rode winners on Sunday’s nine-race program at Santa Anita.

Centeno, who claims seven pounds, rode Cover Version ($54) to an upset in the third race, for $32,000 claimers at a mile on turf. Centeno, 27, has ridden five winners at the meeting, which began Dec. 26. At the Los Alamitos December meeting, Centeno finished eighth with five wins.

Ellingwood, 26, won the fourth race for maiden claimers on Robin’s Legacy ($24.40) for her fourth career win. Ellingwood claims 10 pounds, which will be reduced to seven pounds after her fifth win.

Ellingwood won the first race of her career at Los Alamitos December and her third race on Friday. Ellingwood has had 26 mounts at the current Santa Anita meeting.

“I’m feeling great,” she said between races Sunday. “I only get so many opportunities.”

In her brief career, Ellingwood said she has worked to stay calmer in races.

:: Want to get your Past Performances for free? Click to learn more.

“I’ve got to stay more relaxed,” she said. “I get super excited to be riding races in general.”

Pyfer, 23, won her 10th race of the meeting in Sunday’s sixth race on favored Becca Taylor, leaving her tied for seventh in the standings. At the Los Alamitos December meeting, Pyfer finished third in the standings with 11 wins, two victories behind leader Abel Cedillo.

Pyfer, who claims seven pounds, began riding in September.