LAUREL, MD. 09-26-13---Hidden Hill Farm & Herman M. Braude’s Cherokee Artist led from start to finish in today’s 8^th race feature at Laurel Park, a $50,000 allowance test at a mile on the main track. The six runners in the field had combined for 35 victories and nearly $1.9 million in earnings heading into the race.

Eric Camacho picked up the mount this morning from trainer Jerry Robb and stayed busy atop the frontrunner all the way to the wire, as post time favorite Indian Jones closed resolutely to just miss catching the leader. Cherokee Artist won by a length. The winning time for the mile was 1:36.23.

“He was getting a little tired,” Camacho said. “We set some fast fractions and for him to be there in the end proves how classy he is.”

The winner, who paid $8.20, has now finished first or second in 20 of his 45 career races with earnings of $781,735.

Two races earlier, Camacho rode Mean Season ($6.60) to an impressive maiden score. The 3-year-old opened up a 15-length lead and cruised to victory in his debut, a one-mile test on the main track, stopping the clock at 1:37.08. Jose Corrales trains the son of Henny Hughes.

“He has been working lights out and I was really looking forward to today and he didn’t disappoint,” added Camacho.
 

FRANK WHO? FEUSTLE ON FIRE AS NEW ODDSMAKER

Keith Feustle, who replaced the retired Frank Carulli as the Maryland Jockey Club oddsmaker, is making it look easy. After the first five days of the Laurel Park fall meeting, 40 of Feustle’s 48 morning line favorites have been the actual betting favorite, a success rate of 83.3%.

• September 19, 8-of-9
• September 20, 7-of-10
• September 21, 9-of-11
• September 25, 8-of-9
• September 26, 8-of-9
   

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.