LAUREL, MD. 12-31-12---Abel Castellano and Jamie Ness wrapped up year-end titles for the calendar year in the jockey and trainer divisions respectively at the major Maryland tracks after today’s final card of the season at Laurel Park.

The duo ranked atop the standings during the Pimlico Race Course spring and Laurel Park fall meetings.

Castellano finished the year with 132 victories,11 more than 2011 champion Sheldon Russell, including 59 in the fall. The 29-year-old also tied for the top spot inthe colony with eight stakes wins in the state, including five aboard Bold Affair.

“To win my first year-round title means a lot,” said Castellano, who has been a regular rider in Maryland since 2003. “I have come a long way since arriving here. I now have a wife and we have been blessed with three kids. They are part of my success and why I work so hard, along with my agent Kevin Witte, in trying to win as many races as I can each and every day. There were many trainers who gave us an opportunity but I might not have won the championship without Jamie Ness, who trusted me the entire year.”

Castellano teamed up with Ness for 69 victories.

Castellano finished 2012 ranked 25^th nationally in wins (192) and was 50^th in earnings ($4.4 million). Statistically the only better year he had was 2004 when he established career-highs in wins (201) and earnings ($5 million).

Ness had 83 winners at the major Maryland tracks during the campaign, 16 ahead of Dane Kobiskie. The 38-year-old won races at an impressive 27% rate and had 17 multi-win afternoons. Overall, he was the nation’s winningest conditioner with 396 victories.

Laurel Park/Pimlico Race Course 2012 Standings

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.