OLDSMAR, Fla. (January 31, 2009) Rising Fever (BRZ) haltered the $65,000 seven furlong Manatee Stakes today, giving the five-year-old Put It Back mare her seventh lifetime victory and first win on North American soil. Leading Tampa Bay Downs jockey Daniel Centeno had the call to ride Rising Fever for trainer Christophe Clement and owner David Soifer.

Rising Fever took the lead early to ease away in the stretch, winning by 1 ¼ lengths. Star Operator was second, and Dee’s Rose rounded out the trifecta, which paid $49.60 for a $2 wager.

Reinsman Daniel Centeno said of his mount’s win, “I looked at the form she ran in Brazil, and she had all the stakes wins at a mile. Last time (in the Minaret Stakes) I think it was a little tough for her at this track. I beat her last time she ran here, and I realized that she’d have to be closer to the front.” The victory aboard Rising Fever was the third stakes win for Centeno in the current Tampa meet. When asked if he’ll break the record for most stakes victories in a season, Centeno replied, “It’s going to be hard, but I’ll try!”

Finish Lines… The win in the Manatee Stakes was one of three on the card for Centeno today; the jockey also booted home Demacmorton, a Florida-bred The Cliff’s Edge colt under the care of trainer Adrienne Provost for owner-breeders Sue S. and John A. Devault, III. Centeno rounded out his hat trick in the day’s closer aboard Very Capo; trainer Jamie Ness saddled the seven-year-old Argentinean-bred son of Capo Maximo (ARG), and is owned by Midwest Thoroughbreds.

The Lambholm South Race of the Week was won by Boots are Walking, and eight-year-old son of Storm Boot bred in Kentucky by John V. Greely, IV. Boots are Walking is owned by Al Larson and Dan Passaglia, trained by Dale Bennett and was ridden to victory by journeyman Eduardo Perez.

Racing resumes tomorrow, February 1 with a ten race card; the Pick 6 carryover is $3,439.38. The Silks Poker room is open daily from 12:30 PM through 12:30 AM, and The Downs Golf Practice Facility is open on Mondays from 10:00 AM through 10:00 PM and on Tuesdays through Sundays from 8:30 AM through 10:00 PM.