LAUREL, MD. 02-08-14---Yes He Did won today’s $42,000 feature at Laurel Park off a 14-month layoff when he rallied from far back to beat seven other rivals.

Dismissed at 10-1 and breaking from the extreme outside post, the roan gelding carried apprentice Jevian Toledo to a 3-1/2 length victory over late closing Thurmont.

The son of Exchange Rate was claimed by trainer/co-owner Linda Gaudet in December 2011. He was 0-for-10 with five in the money appearances in 2012 and missed all of 2013.

“Big effort. I am very pleased,” Gaudet said. “He had some surgery. We gave him plenty of time and he came back strong. This was a big step today. I wanted to get over this hurdle. You never know after that long away. He just kept getting better and better during training so we decided to take this shot rather than coming back in an easier spot.”

The 5-year-old gelding completed the six-furlong distance in 1:13.06 and paid $22.40.
 

LAUREL TO RACE FOUR DAYS A WEEK FOR THE BALANCE OF WINTER MEET

Beginning next week, Laurel Park will conduct live racing four days a week for the final seven weeks of the winter meeting after racing Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays since the beginning of the year.

•   February 14 was added the program as a makeup for canceling January 11

•   Special holiday card on Monday, February 17

•   Friday racing added to the schedule February 28 for the balance of the stand, which ends March 29

Live racing shifts to Pimlico Race Course for the spring meeting on Thursday, April 3.