LAUREL, MD. 10-09-13---Richard Santulli’s Mezzano stumbled out of the gate and was bumped by a rival but proved much the best in today’s $47,000 allowance feature at Laurel Park. The son of Mizzen Mast was ridden by Stewart Elliott for trainer Alan Goldberg.

Mezzano was in the middle of the pack leaving the three-eighths pole but took command past the quarter-pole under urging by Elliott. The duo held off late charging A.P. Cino to win by a half-length. Speighter Man was another half-length back. The field also featured stakes winners Stephanoatsee (fourth place), Two T’s At Two B (fifth) and Dynamic Strike (last of seven).

“When he stumbled leaving the gate I thought we could be in trouble but he recovered quickly and we were right where we needed to be. He kicked on and did what he needed to do,” said Elliott, who has been aboard the 4-year-old colt in half of his 12 starts. “He is honest and gives you what he has every time. That’s all you can ask.”

Mezzano completed the one mile distance in 1:37.72 and paid $7.20. He has now finished first or second seven times and improved his career earnings to $181,440.

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.