LAUREL, MD. 09-06-14---Dylan Smith, who graduated to trainer this spring after Maryland legend Dickie Small passed away, won her first stakes today when Brooke Bowman’s Vielsalm galloped home to win the $125,000 All Brandy Stakes, the first of four stakes races on the opening weekend at Laurel Park.

“Very exciting and also a little emotional,” Smith said. “Dickie was excited about this filly.”

This was the first stakes victory for Vielsalm as well, in a race restricted to Maryland-bred fillies and mares. Julian Pimentel guided the daughter of Fairbanks from last to first, saving ground and then moving between horses to win by a neck. Frontrunner Nashly’s Vow finished second with post time favorite Joy third.

“The mile and an eighth was much better for her today,” Pimentel said. “I saved ground on both turns and had the perfect trip. On the rail, everything opened up and I got through. When I asked her for run, she got through and took off. It worked out great.”

Vielsalm covered the 1-1/8^th mile distance in 1:49.88 over the firm turf and paid $21.20.

“Last time we ran her at 7-1/2 at Delaware as a prep because we couldn’t get her in a longer race,” added Smith. “This horse is the type the older she gets the better she gets. Julian gets along with her so well. She gets real fussy and he knows how to deal with her.”

Formerly assistant trainer to Small, Smith won her first race at Pimlico Race Course in late May and has two victories with Vielsalm.

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.

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