LAUREL, MD. 12-10-08---On November 14, trainer Gary Capuano celebrated his 45th birthday with a two-win afternoon at Laurel Park igniting a streak not seen in Maryland since his older brother Dale saddled seven consecutive winners at the central Maryland track in March 2003.

When the younger Capuano reached the winners’ circle with Musician’s Pride ($3.80) in today’s third race it was the fifth consecutive victory for the barn. Though Capuano failed to win with either Quiet Trip (seventh) or Rock On Justin (eighth), he has won nine of his last 12 starts at his home track. The winning ways have helped Capuano pass his brother and move into a fifth place tie in the trainer standings during the current fall meeting.

“I sent a lot of horses to the farm for the winter and thought things were going to be quiet the last two months of the year after a really good year,” said Capuano, who ranks in the top 85 nationally in both wins (71) and earnings ($2 million). “And the first half of last month we didn’t win a race but it picked up. We are getting the horses in the right spots and doing well.”

DATE (Race) HORSE RESULT (Win Payout) CONDITION

Nov 14 (Race 2) Eyes On Versailles Won ($5.20) $28,000 Maiden

Nov 14 (Race 6) Rock On Justin Won ($6.00) $28,000 Maiden

Nov 22 (Race 3) D D T and Me Won ($14.00) $12,000 Claimer

Nov 26 (Race 8) Kaufy Big Shot Won ($7.20) $40,000 Allowance

Nov 28 (Race 4) Putters Girl Second $12,000 Maiden Claimer

Dec 3 (Race 4) Eyes of Eire Won ($7.80) $28,000 Maiden

Dec 5 (Race 7) My Main Starr Won ($3.60) $34,000 Allowance

Dec 5 (Race 8) Eyes On Versailles Won ($3.20) $30,000 Allowance

Dec 6 (Race 8) Hongkong Tour Won ($20.40) $32,000 Allowance

Dec 10 (Race 3) Musician’s Pride Won ($3.80) $22,000 Claimer

Dec 10 (Race 7) Quiet Trip Third $21,000 Claimer

Dec 10 (Race 8) Rock On Justin Fifth $30,000 Allowance

“I would have to say Hongkong Tour’s victory stood out because it came off a year layoff,” added Capuano. “Truthfully I was going to scratch her because the race was tough. She has some talent and is gutsy but I didn’t believe there was any way she could win. I was surprised with the way she ran.”

The conditioner will saddle morning line favorite Kaufy Big Shot in Thursday’s $40,000 allowance feature, has two live shots on Friday’s nine-race card and has entered two horses for Saturday’s program, including multiple stakes winner P V Lightening in the $50,000 Jennings Handicap.


CAPUANO’S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

· Trained Captain Bodgit to victories in the 1997 Florida Derby and Wood Memorial Stakes, a second place finish in the Kentucky Derby and a thrilling third place in the Preakness Stakes.

· Conditioned Cherokee’s Boy, who won 15 added money races during his career and ranks 12th on the all-time list of Maryland-breds with $1,177,946 in career earnings. The son of Citidancer failed to pick up a check just once in 48 career starts, the 2003 Preakness.

· Claimed Run Charlie Run for $5,000 and developed him into a winner of 13 races and more than $100,000.

· First victory was with Superior Blend in 1988 at Pimlico Race Course.