LAUREL, MD – The Stronach 5 returned Friday after a five-month break and there were three winning tickets each worth $24,266.70.

Once again, the Stronach 5 continues to show a strong return on investment with two favorites winning and the longest shot returning $21.60.

The sequence began with four consecutive turf races and Gulfstream’s fifth race. The 7-5 favorite Ocean Safari ($4.80) won gate-to-wire after a troubled debut July 31. The Stronach 5 headed to Maryland and Laurel Park’s eighth and ninth races. In the eighth, 5-2 favorite Town of Gold ($7.20) drove past Federale in the final 70 yards to win the 5 ½ furlong turf event. In the ninth race, the 9-1 longshot Flash Is Back ($21.60) drove past the 3-5 favorite Fake I D in midstretch for the victory.

The fourth leg of the sequence, Gulfstream’s seventh race, was won by Rocket Joe Copper ($10.80). The Stronach 5 concluded at Golden Gate Fields with a mile event on the all-weather surface and Diamond Data ($9.80) stealing away to an eighth-length lead entering the stretch before coming home an easy winner at 7-2.

Friday’s races and sequence

• Leg One –Gulfstream Race 5: Ocean Safari $4.80
• Leg Two –Laurel Race 8: Town of Gold $7.20
• Leg Three –Laurel Race 9: Flash Is Back $21.60
• Leg Four –Gulfstream Race 7: Rocket Joe Copper $10.80
• Leg Five –Golden Gate Race 3: Diamond Data $9.80

Fans can watch and wager on the action at 1/ST.COM/BET as well as stream all the action in English and Spanish at LaurelPark.com, SantaAnita.com, GulfstreamPark.com, and GoldenGateFields.com.

The minimum wager on the multi-race, multi-track Stronach 5 is $1. If there are no tickets with five winners, the entire pool will be carried over to the next Friday.

If a change in racing surface is made after the wagering closes, each selection on any ticket will be considered a winning selection. If a betting interest is scratched, that selection will be substituted with the favorite in the win pool when wagering closes.

The Maryland Jockey Club serves as host of the Stronach 5.