Apprentice rider Jason Nguyen won his first lifetime race in today’s opener at Laurel Park. The 23-year-old from California sent Pride of the Fleet straight to the front in the six-furlong maiden claiming test for 2-year-olds. They opened an insurmountable lead through the turn and Nguyen kept after him to the finish line, winning by 7-1/4 lengths over Soup to Go.

“What a great feeling,” said Nguyen, who started riding in Maryland during the summer mini-meeting. “It took me awhile to get this first one but maybe it will get the ball rolling.”

Nguyen received the traditional dousing from buckets of water upon his return to the jocks room.

C. Beale Payne trains the Virginia-bred colt, which had finished off the board in two previous starts. Pride of the Fleet paid $9.80.