LAUREL, MD. 12-29-12---Chuck Russo’s Il Villano had it all his own way in the six-furlong, $100,000 Dave’s Friend Stakes, the co-feature this afternoon at Laurel Park.

Sent out to spar for the lead under Kendrick Carmouche for trainer Susan Crowell, the 3-year-old quickly emerged with the lead and went on to beat five of his elders by three lengths in 1:11.20 over the sloppy going. Immortal Eyes nipped Wolfcamp to finish second.

“He seemed to like the slop,” Carmouche said. “He broke well and wanted to go.”

In his only other start at Laurel, Il Villano missed winning the Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash on Oct. 27 by a nose to multiple stakes winner Action Andy. Earlier this year, he captured the Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

“He is amazing,” Crowell said. “I thought we would be sitting off the pace like we did in the De Francis but he had other plans. Speed had not been holding today but it worked out well for us.”

Crowell indicated she could return to Laurel for the $200,000 General George Handicap (G3) on Feb. 18, 2013.

Il Villano paid $6.40 as the second betting choice. The son of Pollard’s Vision improves to 5-of-13 lifetime, with 11 in the money finishes, for earnings of $509,620.

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.