BALTIMORE, 05-26-14---Lively Times, a Two Punch filly owned and trained by Dylan Smith, led from start to finish in today’s seventh race at Pimlico Race Course and rewarded her owner with her first victory as a licensed trainer.

Smith, 25, is a former assistant to trainer Dickie Small, who passed away in April. Lively Times was bred by and previously owned by Small.

“Dickie would be very happy,” Smith said. “He actually left her to me so I am really excited to win with her. It would have meant a lot to him.”

Lively Times covered the 5-furlong distance in 58.68 over the firm turf. She won by a neck over a hard-charging Sweet Soliloquy and paid $8.80.

“I didn’t want to get too excited when she first hit the wire because it was close,” added Smith. “There is a great deal of relief to get the first one. There is a lot of pressure for me to get the horses to run well. It is a big transition going from Dickie to me. I just want to show that I can do it.”

Small finished his career with 1,199 wins and conditioned 1994 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Concern.

Horacio Karamanos rode the winner. He had three winners on the 10-race card, also visiting the winners’ circle with Mo Didn’t Know ($35.80-race 3) and Petit Trianon ($18.40-race 9).

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.