LAUREL, MD. 03-22-13---Bullet Catcher, who made local and national headlines earlier this year after escaping from the Laurel Park backside and taking a 1.6 mile journey, won his first race in nearly two years with an impressive performance in Friday’s 8^th race, a $40,000 allowance.

On January 11, the Jerry Robb trainee tossed jockey Jeremy Rose while heading back to the barn after a half-mile work and got loose. He made his way out of the stable gate, made a left on Whiskey Bottom Road and another left onto U.S. Route 1 before being caught, un-injured.  Jockey Abel Castellano captured part of the journey on his mobile phone, which enabled the story to go viral.

Castellano rode the 4-year-old gelding for the second consecutive time this afternoon. Bullet Catcher broke alertly then tracked the pace to the sixteenth marker before he surged ahead to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:04.71 for the 5-1/2 furlong distance.

“My main concern was to get him to relax and he did that. When I asked he responded,” Castellano said. “I am very happy to be able to win with him. We got our 15 minutes of fame two months ago and I am glad the connections thought enough of me to let me ride. He tries so hard and it was good to see him win.”

Bullet Catcher was sent off as the crowd favorite and paid $5.20.

The replay of the race can be found here:https://youtu.be/obCyGQ_zoQ8

The son of Strong Hope is now 2-of-11 lifetime with eight in the money finishes. His maiden score occurred in his debut on May 11, 2011 at Pimlico Race Course.

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.