LAUREL, MD. 03-23-13---Charles Reed & Mike Zanella’s Bold Affair broke for the front and raced comfortably on the lead the remainder of the way in defense of her title in the $100,000 Conniver Stakes this afternoon at Laurel Park.

Bold Affair carried Abel Castellano to a two-length victory beating four other Maryland-bred fillies and mares. She completed the seven furlong distance in 1:25.14.

The Howard Wolfendale trainee was winning her second stakes in as many starts this year. She opened her 5-year-old campaign with a victory in the What A Summer Stakes on January 12.

“I started to hustle her a little bit and she started going so I let her do her own thing,” Castellano said.

The fans in Central Maryland and around the country backed the daughter of Two Punch down to odds of 1-9 (she was an overwhelming favorite in the show pool) and her win payoff was $2.20. More Than A Cruise rallied to finish second while Access to Charlie finished third.

“She did this very easy,” added Castellano, who has been aboard Bold Affair for 11 straight starts. “She shows up every time and is very consistent.”

Reed and Zanella indicated the daughter of Two Punch will be pointed towards the Primonetta Stakes and Skipat Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, races she won a year ago.

Bold Affair improves to 11-of-18 lifetime with eight stakes scores with earnings of $659,540.

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.