LAUREL, MD. 03-22-13---Mallory Strandberg cracked the winners’ circle at Laurel Park for the first time in her career, guiding Light Of Truth to victory in today’s opener.

Strandberg sent the Stephen Casey trained runner to the lead from their rail post in the two turn, 1-1/16^th mile test for $5,000 claimers, disputed the pace with Moonlight Gin to the far turn before falling back to third, then came on again in the stretch to win going away. The son of Birdstone completed the distance in 1:50.29 and paid $5.80 as the second choice in the wagering.

Strandberg is a recent graduate of the Chris McCarron’s North American Racing Academy (NARA) in Lexington, KY. It was the 13^th mount for the 22-year-old native of Danville, Washington.

“I am happy and am ready for more wins,” Strandberg said. “Horses have been part of my life forever. I was in college (Central Washington University) and it wasn’t going anywhere. We had to write a paper on our career choice and I decided right then to drop out of college and find a jockey school.”

The first professional jockey school in the United States, NARA teaches students the fundamentals of professional race riding and horse care with courses in nutrition, finance, communication, rules of racing and technology. Founded in 2006, its graduates have won more than 1,800 races.

“Mallory is fearless,” said McCarron, who ranks sixth on the all-time win list with 7,141 career victories. “She was barrel racing all her life, so she loves speed and has great balance. She learned a technique that I teach as far as a way I got horses to run quicker than any person in her class.”

Strandberg is one of two NARA graduates in the Maryland riding colony. Kristina McManigell ranks eighth in the rider standings with 17 victories from 93 mounts. The 24-year-old, who is in her fourth year as a professional rider, took Friday’s second race aboard No Conflict.

“When she was at my school, she was always one of the first to show up and would never leave the barn until everything was done,” added McCarron. “I am really proud of her. She took a really nasty spill at Parx a year ago where she broke some bones in her neck but she couldn’t wait to get back in the saddle. She has the gumption and the athletic ability. Kristina is very intelligent, who listens and retains information very easily. She has the whole package.”

McCarron was at Laurel Park last week (March 13-14-15), in part to visit with his pupils.

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.