BALTIMORE, 05-16-14 – Tim E. O’Donohue Racing LLC’s Governmentshutdown overcame early trouble to launch a strong stretch drive to victory in the $75,000 Rollicking Stakes over three other 2-year-olds.

The Rollicking was contested over the good main track and timed in 59.10 for the five-furlong distance. Jose Betancourt rode the gray son of Exchange Rate for trainer John Robb, who saddled Debt Ceiling for a victory in the 2013 Rollicking. Pret Say Eye finished second, 3 ¾ lengths behind the winner.  Hootenanny, the 3-5 favorite, was third and Royalty Sea trailed.

Governmentshutdown broke his maiden in his second lifetime start at Pimlico on May 3. He paid $4.60 as the second choice in the wagering.

ROLLICKING STAKES QUOTES

Winning Trainer John Robb (Governmentshutdown): “The race didn’t go as we planned but we got the finish we hoped for. Wesley Ward’s horse (Hootenanny) outran us from the gate and dropped over on us and made it real tight. He showed a lot of improvement from his first start to his second. The blinkers made a real difference. We’ll maybe try to go to the Bashford Manor (June 28) at Churchill Downs like we did last year with Debt Ceiling (2013 Rollicking winner). Debt Ceiling was definitely a sprinter, but I think this horse can go long.”

Winning Jockey Jose Betancourt (Governmentshutdown): “We didn’t have a picture perfect trip the way we wanted it, but he overcame a disastrous start. He impressed me today.
We had to take back a little bit. That’s not where I wanted to be, but I was really impressed the way he overcame that. So far he’s been really impressive.”

About Pimlico Race Course

Historic Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness® Stakes, the middle jewel in horse racing's famed Triple Crown, first opened its doors on October 25, 1870, and is the second oldest racetrack in the United States. Pimlico has played host to racing icons and Baltimoreans have seen the likes of legendary horses such as Man o’ War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Affirmed and Cigar thunder down the stretch in thrilling and memorable competition. For more information on Pimlico, visit www.pimlico.com.

Pimlico Race Course 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.