LAUREL, MD. 09-17-14---Standup Comic finished off the board in a pair of races last month at Timonium and was dismissed by the bettors in Wednesday’s second race at Laurel Park. The 6-year-old gelding got the last laugh taking the $15,000 claimer with an impressive off the pace victory.

The son of Silver Train and apprentice jockey Angel Cruz saved ground early on in the 6-furlong test on the main track. Cruz then angled his charge outside leaving the far turn and took aim at the leaders. He collared front-runner Rob the Cradle to win by a length. Post time favorite Pot of Gold was third. 

Standup Comic stopped the clock in 1:11.06 and paid $126.20 to win. He topped a $456.80 exacta and a $542.40 trifecta.

The victory was the third of the fall meeting for owner-trainer Billy Campbell. Campbell then captured the sixth race with Seven Days ($23.80) and is now tied atop the trainer standings after seven days of the fall meeting.

“It is a good way to start the meet,” Campbell said. “I thought he would run better at Timonium because he had been training well. It was good to see him put it together.”

Standup Comic improves to six-of-41 lifetime with earnings of $132,729.

QUADE PRAISED FOR LAST SATURDAY’S VIRGINIA-BRED STAKES SERIES

Last Saturday’s 12-race card at Laurel Park featured six Virginia-bred stakes races because Colonial Downs’ ownership and horsemen could not reach agreement on holding a meeting this year.

“Maryland Racing Commission chairman Bruce Quade was instrumental in making this happen, working diligently with all the parties involved,” Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas said. “It was a successful day. The horsemen filled the races with an average of nearly 10 runners per race. We will be open to doing this again, if need be.”

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.