LAUREL, MD. 11-17-12---Michael Dubb’s Greed and Fear took the overland route to victory in Saturday’s feature at Laurel Park, the $100,000 Safely Kept Stakes for three-year-old fillies.

Sent to post at 4-1 under Horacio Karamanos for trainer Rudy Rodriguez, the Bob and John filly broke from the outside post in the field of nine, travelled four wide down the backstretch, then swept up and around on the leaders around the turn and drew off in the stretch to an impressive, 1-1/4 length score in 1:25.13 for the seven furlong distance.

“We saw a lot of speed in the race. I was to put her wherever she was comfortable, a couple of lengths behind. I did that and my filly did the rest,” Karamanos said. 

Greed and Fear, who was claimed by Rodriguez $50,000 at Saratoga in August, paid $10.80. Post time favorite Holiday Soiree rallied to take second. Los Ojitos finished third.

Karamanos rode three winners on the card to climb to within three of front runners Sheldon Russell and Abel Castellano in the Laurel Park fall meet jockey standings with 25 days remaining in the stand. The 39-year-old also scored aboard Stormy n’ Sly ($6-5^th) and Lion Down by Me ($8.20-7^th) to bring his total to 31 victories.

“It looked like I might have a good day and my horses ran good today,” added Karamanos, who has won 19 races on the turf. “I thought we had a good chance in the stake. This could have been her third straight victory if she didn’t get in trouble in her first start for Rudy. I just needed to make sure we were in the right position and that’s what happened.”

Russell and Castellano have each visited the winners’ circle 34 times, while Julian Pimentel also has 31 first place finishes.

HOLIDAY WEEK INCLUDES THANKSGIVING DAY CARD, GUYS DAY OUT PROMOTION

Thanksgiving traditions: turkey dinner, NFL games and thoroughbred racing at Laurel Park. The central Maryland track offers a special 11:05 a.m. post time Thursday with a nine-race card, highlighted by the $100,000 Geisha Stakes for Maryland-bred fillies and mares.

The day also features the 25th annual pie giveaway (pumpkin or apple) after the fifth race at both Laurel and its sister track, Pimlico Race Course. Free donuts with coffee or cider will also be available from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Laurel’s terrace dining room will feature a traditional, home-style Thanksgiving buffet for $24.99.

Friday features free admission to Laurel Park’s live program for all men as part of the “Guys Day Out” promotion, which includes half-priced draft beers and giveaways. Fans will have an opportunity to win tickets to the 138th Preakness Stakes on May 18, 2013 and the Baltimore Ravens-New York Giants game on December 23.

There will also be live racing cards on Wednesday and Saturday. First post on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday is 12:35 p.m.

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.