LAUREL, MD. 03-15-14--- ZWP Stable Inc. & Non Stop Stable’s Steady N Love raced within striking distance, then moved to the front when asked and won the $100,000 Caesar’s Wish Stakes for 3-year old fillies this afternoon at Laurel Park.

The Not For Love filly left the starting gate as the 3-5 favorite under Victor Carrasco for trainer Gary Capuano. She completed the mile in 1:41.18, 1-3/4 lengths ahead of long shot frontrunner Aviddiva, who held on to finish a game second. New Zone chased the pacesetter throughout and was third. The winner paid $3.40.

“She broke well. When I saw a couple of the runners break out front I just took a hold of her and waited to make one move,” Carrasco said. “I had plenty of confidence and thought we would go by the longshot (Aviddiva) really easy but she didn’t stop trying.”

Steady N Love has been a steady performer with nine in the money finishes in 10 career starts, including second place finishes in the Wide Country Stakes in January and the Maryland Million Lassie last October. In her previous start, she scored by 20-3/4 lengths as the overwhelming favorite against optional claiming foes.

“She was fourth her first time out and we were happy with that,” Capuano said. “She is just a gusty filly. She tries and gives it everything she’s got. She is still a little green. The mile is not her best distance but she dug in.”

Capuano runners have finished in the money 21times in25 starts at Laurel Park this year.

Carrasco rode three winners on the 10-race card but still trails Trevor McCarthy in the jockey standings, 44-32.

ROSA RETURNS TO THE WINNERS’ CIRCLE

Apprentice rider Eli Rosa returned to the winners’ circle for the first time in nearly a year when he guided Son of the Sun ($12.60) to a score in Saturday’s third race. The 24-year-old, who finished 10^th in the 2013 Laurel Park winter standings, broke his left arm and dislocated his left wrist in a spill at Charles Town March 23, 2013.

“To be honest, I almost cried when we crossed the wire,” Rosa said. “I feel very happy. It was a very tough year. There were complications after the surgery and I got tendinitis. Then I had my appendix taken out. There were all kinds of problems, but here I am. With all the tough times you have to keep fighting.”

Son of the Sun was Rosa’s fourth mount back. He returned to the track in January and has been galloping horses for Linda Gaudet, Lacey Gaudet, John Rigattieri and Claudio Gonzalez. Gonzalez trains Son of the Sun.

FOUR VYING FOR TRAINING TITLE

With two weeks remaining in the winter meeting, four trainers have a chance to win the Laurel Park title.

Juan Vazquez completed a four-win week with a victory inCotton One in the finale. He leads the standings with 17 winners, two more than Kieron Magee.

Hugh McMahon and Claudio Gonzalez have saddled 14 winners. Mike Trombetta (12) is also within striking distance.

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.