LAUREL, MD. 02-28-14---Israel Rodriguez made a great first impression, riding a winner in his first race in this country Friday afternoon at Laurel Park.

In the fifth race, Rodriguez broke from the outside post astride Inspeightofthegold ($6.40), raced on the extreme outside the whole way and then finished fastest of all to win his first race outside of his native Puerto Rico by 8 ½ lengths.

Trainer Juan Vasquez gave a leg up to the 18-year-old rider, who had won three races from 36 mounts at Camarero in San Juan this year before coming to Maryland.

“He will be the next Carrasco,” said Vazquez in the winners’ circle.

Last year, Victor Carrasco became the 10^th Maryland-based jockey to earn the Eclipse Award for outstanding apprentice, leading all first-year riders in wins (215) and earnings ($4,357,715).

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.