BALTIMORE, 05-17-14– Matthew Brown, N R S Stable and Tim L. Keefe’s Lunar Rock battled Who Dat Boy into defeat and held off late-charging No Brakes to win the $40,000 Deputed Testamony Starter Handicap for registered Maryland-breds on Preakness Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.

Sheldon Russell rode the son of Cherokee’s Boy, who covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.51 over the fast main track. He won by a neck over No Brakes, with Regal Warrior taking third.

Tim Keefe trains Lunar Rock, who was claimed by his owners for $12,500 at Laurel Park four starts back.  Lunar Rock paid $7.80.                   

Deputed Testamony Starter Handicap Quotes

Winning Trainer Tim Keefe (Lunar Rock): “Sheldon (Russell) did a great job judging the pace down the backside when the 9 (Who Dat Boy) came on and took the lead. Sheldon took my horse back until the stretch. He had just enough. He’s a pretty consistent horse. He gives his all; he’s sound and has a wonderful personality. It’s been a pleasure claiming him three months ago and pointing him to this race. It’s very satisfying.”

Winning Jockey Sheldon Russell (Lunar Rock): “I know Tim was very excited when he claimed this horse. This was always the plan for him and the owners to run in this type of handicap on Preakness Day, so I was really happy to win this race for them. He broke nice and sharp. I don’t know if the jock (Victor Carrasco) on the 9 was having some problems. He was getting out when he went by me. My horse loves to have a target. I knew they were coming but he was just lucky to hold on.”

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.