LAUREL, MD. 9-13-14---James Hackman and  Glenn R. Thompson’s Two Notch Road blew the doors off his competition and won the $60,000 Punch Line Stakes for Virginia-breds.

After racing under a snug hold for much of the way in the 5-1/2 furlong test on the firm turf, Two Notch Road and Julian Pimentel roared by the leaders down the stretch and won by two lengths in 1:01.91. Post time favorite Boltin’ Out could not match strides with the winner but finished a game second, while Joe Tess took third.

The winner, a Partner’s Hero offspring trained by part-owner Thompson, had not won a race since June 2010 and age seven, was notching only his fourth lifetime victory.

“Julian rode him very well,” said Thompson. “It means a lot to win here because it’s been a long, dry spell. I feel like things are finally turning. I think we’ll be back here for the Dash.”

“We wanted to get him to relax and make a key move,” said Pimental. “It was my first time on the horse. He’s pretty good.”

Two Notch Road paid $9.80.
 

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.