LAUREL, MD. 01-04-14--- Fitzhugh LLC’s Broad Rule ran down the speed and captured the $100,000 Fire Plug Stakes for the second year in a row. The Fire Plug was the last of four stakes races at Laurel Park Saturday afternoon.

Forest Boyce was at the controls aboard the Dickie Small trainee for the 33^rd time in 34 career starts.

“It worked out because the speed kind of blew the turn and it kind of opened up for us,” said Boyce. “If you really have a good enough horse you’ll get there one way or another. He flattened out a little bit in the middle but then picked it up and the last eighth.”

Just as last year, Broad Rule was overlooked in the wagering and paid $26.80. The late run was good enough to stave off Service for Ten, who finished ¾’s of a length behind in second, and Warrioroftheroses, who finished third.

“This field was very competitive and we were fortunate that Strapping Groom (the 6-5 morning line favorite) scratched,” said Small’s assistant Dylan Smith. “I knew he would run big and I was hoping for at least third. I would have been thrilled with that but he surprised us. He is very hard to place because he has run through all his conditions. He’s a real nice horse but he’s always in a tough field. He’s just a tick below great, so he always ends up running against graded stakes horses. He’s been so good to us. He’s the king of the barn.”

The 6-year-old improved to seven-of-34 lifetime with earnings of $384,215. The son of Dixie Union has finished in the money 21 times during his career.

About Laurel Park

Laurel Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America's premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.