LAUREL, MD—"He's just a little guy, but he's tough,” trainer Michael Gorham said of Chipotle, who refused to yield to odds-on favorite Prince of Jericho in Sunday’s featured eighth race at Laurel Park, a $56,000 allowance race for 3-year-olds and upward at 5 ½ furlongs.

Gorham admitted that Chipotle is the first Minnesota-bred he’s ever trained, and was justifiably proud of his charge. Not only was Chipotle the only 3-year-old in the eight-horse field, but he turned back a three-time stakes-winner that has placed in seven other stakes, including two Grade 3 events.

Breaking from post position two, Chipotle blasted to the lead under jockey Raul Mena, and set fractions of 22.27 and 46.39 seconds while prompted by Prince of Jericho.

Swinging into the stretch, Prince of Jericho drew alongside Chipotle. For a moment, it looked like the husband and wife team of jockey Sheldon Russell and trainer Brittany Russell would prevail in another featured race at Laurel Park.

Chipotle had other plans, however. He dropped his head, reached out for more ground, and drove under the wire a neck in front in 1:04.82 over the fast main track. He returned $10.80 to win as the public’s second betting choice.

Showstopper Copper finished another five lengths behind in third place. Bump N Run, Heard On Thestreet, Radical Right, Karan’s Notion, and Northern Flame completed the order of finish. Grand Opening scratched.

"That was a great race,” Gorham said. “That horse collared him, and then he dug in, and he just gutted it out."

On paper, there appeared to be other speeds in the race, but Gorham wanted Chipotle to be the one to make the running.

"Being in an inside post, I didn't want to get in a trap, and I did kind of tell [Mena] to send him,” Gorham admitted.

A homebred owned by On Your Left Racing, Chipotle is by Mitole out of a half-sister to stakes-placed sprinter Cousin Claire.

A debut winner at two, Chipotle has enjoyed a fruitful sophomore campaign, capturing six of ten starts. Based at Gorham’s Delaware Park base, Chipotle entered Sunday’s feature after a fifth-place finish in the $100,000 City of Laurel Stakes on Nov. 29.

"He's a pretty consistent horse, and he's always in tough races,” Gorham added.

After today, more tough races could be in Chipotle’s future.

When queried about a future stakes try, Gorham said, “It’s possible, after a race like this.”

*Around the track:

Trainer Emanuel “Mike” Geralis saddled two winners on Sunday’s card. Geralis and jockey Forest Boyce teamed up with Worries Unfounded ($4.20) in the opener. He partnered with jockey Jeiron Barbosa to take the fourth with Artist Mark ($7.60)…Jockey J.G. Torrealba rode two winners. In the third race, Torrealba and trainer Milan Milosevic scored with first-time starter Inno Hurry Early ($22.60). Three races later, Torrealba guided States United ($9.20) up the rail to post a rallying victory…Live racing resumes Friday with a nine-race program. The first post time is 12 p.m. ET, and there are two “Value Pick 5” wagers, each with a low 12% takeout rate…The FREE “Laurel Park Handicapping Guide” is available every racing day. Get picks, analysis, trainer stats, horses to watch, track bias information, free Daily Racing Form DRP past performances, and much more from The Maryland Jockey Club team of handicappers. Friday’s Guide is available on Thursday evening: click here to view…Reserve your spot for our weekly “Bubbly Brunch Sundays.” Kick back with friends over delicious brunch favorites and bottomless mimosas in our vibrant Stone Bar Restaurant and Bar. Sunday Brunch begins at 11:00 am ET…Never miss a second of the action with the Laurel Park YouTube channel. Click here to catch full pan and head-on replays.