LAUREL, MD. 02-15-13---Laurel Park’s SprintFest weekend features a pair of graded sprints and the $125,000 John B. Campbell Handicap. Six older horses are entered in the 1-1/8 mile Campbell, the sixth race on Saturday’s card.

Claimed for $25,000 in October 2011, Service for Ten (6-5) has won four of his past five starts at Laurel, with an average Beyer speed figure of 95, since a 10-month layoff for trainer Damon Dilodovico. The only off the board finish was a fourth in the City of Laurel Stakes where the son of Service Stripe finished behind a pair of runners (Brigand and Javerre) who will be running in the General George Handicap (G3) Monday. Julian Pimentel has the riding assignment.

“I honestly believe if we got inside of Brigand that day he would not have beaten us,” Dilodovico said. “We weren’t aggressive enough and wore down in the lane. I am not sure this (1-1/8 mile) is his best distance. I think he might be a little green running the longer distances. We toyed with the idea of running in the General George Monday but this is a good spot.”

Adirondack King (3-1) was winless in 10 races a year ago but did finish second in the Barbaro Stakes at Delaware Park and was third in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The son of Lawyer Ron started this year with a third in the Native Dancer at Laurel. Stewart Elliott rides for trainer John Servis.

Norman Asbjornson (7-2) hit the board in all five starts last year, including a third place finish the Excelsior Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct. His 2013 debut was a disappointing ninth in the Native Dancer Stakes here on January 21. The Chris Grove trainee will try to regroup under Junior Alvarado.

Concealed Identity (8-1) failed to finish in the money in any of his eight starts during his 4-year-old campaign. The Smarty Jones horse kicked off 2013 with a solid third against optional allowance runners. Apprentice Trevor McCarthy will be aboard the Linda Gaudet trainee.

Laurel Park-based conditioner Jose Corrales will saddle Peasant (10-1) and Avenida Paseo (20-1).

The $250,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (G2) tops Saturday’s card. Ten top sprinters are expected to face the starter.

BULLET CATCHER FINISHES THIRD IN FRIDAY FEATURE

Bullet Catcher, who made local and national headlines last month after escaping from the Laurel Park backside and taking a 1.6 mile journey, ran a gusty third in Friday’s 8^th race, a $40,000 allowance.

Five weeks ago, the Jerry Robb trainee tossed jockey Jeremy Rose while heading back to the barn after a workout and got loose. He made his way out of the stable gate, made a left on Whiskey Bottom Road and another left onto U.S. Route 1 before being caught, un-injured.  Jockey Abel Castellano captured part of the journey on his mobile phone, which enabled the story to go viral.

Pass You Bye Bye ($5.40) won the six-furlong race by 4-1/2 lengths. Hard Line nipped Bullet Catcher, who set the early fractions, by a nose for second.

Bullet Catcher is now 1-of-9 lifetime with six in the money finishes.
 

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.