Jeremy Rose, the leading contender for the Eclipse Award as top apprentice jockey, won three races yesterday at Laurel Park, including his 300th of the year in the sixth race aboard Flamingo Phil.
"I am starting to think about the Eclipse Award," said Rose, a 22-year-old former high school wrestling champion from Pennsylvania. "But whatever happens, it has been a storybook year."
Another apprentice jockey made news at Laurel as Stephen Michael, the long-shot kid, struck again. He rode the 82-1 Envy Me to victory in the fourth race. The Berkley Kern-trained filly paid $165 to win.
A 22-year-old Texas native, Michael arrived at Pimlico in June and promptly scored on 67-1 and 96-1 long shots.
In the $50,000 Squan Song Stakes for fillies and mares, the 3-year-old Winter Leaf posted a 3 1/2 -length victory for trainer Ron Cartwright, jockey Larry Reynolds and owner and breeder Michael Sutherland.
"The main thing was getting a good break," said Reynolds, celebrating his 32nd birthday. "She broke well, settled nicely, and when I asked, she responded."
