LAUREL, MD. 09-29-12---Trainer Mike Trombetta and jockey Julian Pimentel teamed up to win three races on Saturday’s 11-race card at Laurel Park.

The duo scoredaboard first-time-starter Field Pass ($9.40) in the opener, second-time-starter Chelsea Road ($6) in the fifth and completed the hat trick in race ten when Pimentel sent Thunderous Lady ($3.80) around traffic to complete a popular score.

Pimentel rode four winners on the afternoon, also visiting the winners’ circle with Cho Time ($19) in the fourth.

“I looked at the program this morning and thought I had a chance at a big day,” Pimentel said. “When you ride for someone like Mike you expect to win races.”

Trombetta expects to have seven runners on next Saturday’s Jim McKay Maryland Million program. The Baltimore born conditioner nominated D C Dancer (Nursery), Glich (Nursery), Change of Command (Turf), Friscan (Sprint), Brushed by Love (Distaff), Music Please (Distaff) and Baltimore Belle (Ladies).

“For the local breeders and owners this is our Super Bowl,” said Trombetta, who has four Maryland Million victories. “We try to aim our Maryland-sired horses in this direction. A lot of them (owners and breeders) know they’ll be up against it but it is worth a chance and they always have a fun time.”

Pimentel has ridden all of Trombetta’s Maryland Million winners. In addition to riding most of Trombetta’s horses next Saturday, the 31-year-old also has the assignment on millionaire Ben’s Cat (Turf Sprint), who is looking to become the fourth horse to win a Maryland Million race three straight years, joining Safely Kept (Distaff, ’89-91), Countus In (Ladies, ’89-91) and Mz. Zill Bear (Ladies, ’93-95). Pimentel has won nine times in 14 starts aboard the King Leatherbury homebred.

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.