BALTIMORE, 05-18-12– Cathal A. Lynch’s Universal Language caught breakaway leader Franstein in deep stretch to win the $25,000 Kattegat’s Pride Starter Handicap, the opening race on Friday’s Black-Eyed Susan Day program at Pimlico Race Course.

A field of seven met the starter in the 1 1/16-mile test for Maryland-bred fillies and mares who had started for a claiming price of $7,500 or less in 2011-2012. Kendrick Carmouche rode the daughter of Dance with Ravens, who is trained by her owner. Franstein held on to finish second, a 1 ½ lengths behind the winner. Congaree Princess rallied to take third.

Universal Language, who was winning for the fifth time in seven starts this year, covered the distance in 1:47.31 and paid $3.40.

Kattegat’s Pride Starter Handicap Quotes

Tom Foley (assistant to winning trainer Cathal Lynch, Universal Language)– “This is a very tough mare. She’s always a very tough mare. She won her last race here easily. I thought we were in a good spot today. This is a very nice win for us, because the trainer’s two sons, Charlie and Anthony, own this horse. The horse was very calm coming down and very quiet in the stall. But as soon as she hit the track, she woke up.”

Kendrick Carmouche (winning jockey, Universal Language)– “We wanted to sit a little bit closer with the short field. She broke a step slow, so I just sat on her. You just sit on her, and she always makes her same run and switches over. I knew once I got to the eighth-pole, we had it won. She always gives me a good kick.”