Jorge Ruiz Díaz Enjoys Perfect Return to Laurel Park with Two Stakes Wins
- Turf Diario
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Fresh off a strong Gulfstream Championship Meet, the Argentine rider shines with Cruise the Nile and Outlaw Kid
LAUREL, Maryland (Turf Diario Special)—Under Maryland skies, Saturday’s card at Laurel Park became the perfect stage for the reunion of a top-class rider with a fan base that knows him well. Argentina’s Jorge Ruiz Díaz, coming off a stellar Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park, returned to one of his most successful circuits and delivered a masterclass in race riding, posting a riding triple that included two stakes victories.
The highlight of the afternoon came on turf, where he guided Cruise the Nile (Cairo Prince) to a narrow victory in the Henry S. Clark Stakes. Sent off as the 6-5 favorite, the race unfolded far from straightforward, with the colt tracking from a midpack position through fractions of :23.29 and :46.83. But patience remains one of Ruiz Díaz’s greatest strengths.
Approaching the far turn, the runner trained by H. Graham Motion made his move on the outside, losing some ground but gaining a clear path for his run. After a brief moment of hesitation while switching leads, Cruise the Nile straightened and unleashed a powerful late charge. With determination, he wore down the leaders and got up in the final stride by a neck, stopping the clock in 1:33.85—a new course record for the mile on Laurel’s turf.
The Argentine’s showcase didn’t end there. In the King T. Leatherbury Stakes, Ruiz Díaz once again displayed his tactical acumen, piloting Outlaw Kid (Violence) to victory and further underlining the edge gained from his recent Florida campaign.
He also added a valuable third aboard Ribaltagaia (Blame) in the Dahlia Stakes and a conditional win with Chitchatchitchat (Twirling Candy), rounding out a performance where his name became synonymous with excellence throughout the card.
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