Maryland Thoroughbred

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Silmaril Surprises In Jameela Stakes
LAUREL, MD. 02-15-04---All eyes and most of the wagering were fixed on 8-5 favorite Forestier and a pair of 2-1 shots She?s A Rebel Too and Sea Of Promises, but it was the homebred filly Silmaril who blew by the top three and won today?s $75,000 Jameela Stakes for Maryland-bred fillies at Laurel Park.
The race began as expected when Forestier and She?s A Rebel Too took off to battle for the lead. Forestier got the measure of She?s A Rebel Too as they raced into the turn and dispensed with her at the top of the lane but she was not up to the explosive finish of Silmaril, who had reunited with jockey Abel Castellano. Silmaril collared the leader in the drive and they drew out to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:24.84.
Silmaril paid $22.60 as the second to last choice in the field of six Maryland-bred 3-year-old fillies.
Trainer Chris Grove said, ?I wanted to see her at this distance and she was rapidly improving in her training. I think she?s going to go even further.?
Castellano said, ?Coming out of the gate she took a little stumble but my horse was perfectly relaxed down the backside. When we got to the 3/8ths pole I knew I had the race won. She came running.?
Castellano swept the final four races of the card, also scoring on Spirited Game (6th--$3), Gram?s Folly (7th--$3.60) and Taoiseach (9th--$3).
Betty Worthington, who owned and bred Jameela, awarded the trophy this afternoon to Stephen Quick, the owner/breeder of Silmaril. Coincidentally, Worthington is a Harford County neighbor of the Quick family. Silmaril is a granddaughter of the Quick?s good mare Kattegat?s Pride.