LAUREL, MD. 03-28-14---Lost in the hoopla surrounding the battle for the leading trainer at the Laurel Park was the performance by apprentice Trevor McCarthy, who will win his first riding title when the winter meet ends Saturday afternoon.

The 19-year-old, who finished second in the 2013 Laurel Park winter and fall jockey standings, rode twowinners today to bring his total to 54 for the meet, 18 more than Victor Carrasco.

“It is really rewarding especially when we are going to win it by about 15 wins,” said McCarthy, who has 17 multiple win days at the central Maryland track since January 1. “To win by so many means a lot. I have been working hard in the morning and riding hard and smart in the afternoon.”

Meanwhile in the trainer standings, four trainers are tied with 19 winners going into the final day of the meeting. Juan Vazquez and Claudio Gonzalez started the afternoon tied for the lead but Kieron Magee saddled Sir Travis ($9.40) in the fourth race, his final starter of the stand, and Hugh McMahon won the day’s finale with Face the Fire ($6.80).

Vazquez and McMahon will have runners in four of the 10 races on closing day, while Gonzalez has runners entered in three races.

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.