Silmaril Springs Surprise in Laurel's Jameela

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Overlooked homebred filly Silmaril who blew by the three favorites and won Sunday's $75,000 Jameela Stakes at Laurel Park.

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. Instead it was 10-1 Silmaril, the second-longest shot in the field of six Maryland-bred 3-year-old fillies, who won by 2 1/2 lengths in a time of 1:24 4/5 for the seven-furlong Jameela.

Forestier and She's A Rebel Too took off to battled for the lead. Forestier got the measure of She's A Rebel Too as they raced into the turn, but she could not hold off Silmaril, who was reunited with jockey Abel Castellano, in the drive.

Chris Grove trained the winner, who paid $22.60, $6.20 and $3.20. Forestier returned $3.80 and $2.60. She's a Rebel Too's show was $2.80. The $2 exacta was worth $77.60.

"Coming out of the gate she took a little stumble but my horse was perfectly relaxed down the backside," Castellano said. "When we got to the three-eighths pole I knew I had the race won. She came running."

Silmaril earned $45,000 for breeder and owner Stephen E. Quick.

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).

The three-day Winter SprintFest concludes tomorrow with the $200,000 General George Handicap (gr. II). Nine horses are entered, headlined by Badge of Silver, who was one of the top contenders for the Visa Triple Crown a year ago before being sidelined by injuries.

(Chart, Equibase)

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