Laurel: Eighttofasttocatch repeats in Harrison E. Johnson

Eighttofasttocatch survived an extended pace duel at Laurel Park on Saturday to earn a repeat victory in the $92,950 Harrison E. Johnson Memorial Stakes.

After leading the field through an opening quarter-mile in 24.66 seconds in the 1 1/8-mile Johnson, Eighttofasttocatch, with Sheldon Russell riding, was second to Cherokee Artist after a half-mile run in 48.90 seconds. Those two went together through a six-furlong time of 1:13.39, with Cherokee Artist leading by a head at that point. After being fanned out wide by Cherokee Artist entering the stretch, Eighttofasttocatch took the lead in midstretch and drove clear to a length victory.

Cherokee Artist held second by 2 1/2 lengths over third-place Indian Jones. Concealed Identity, Regal Warrior, and Thomas Got Even completed the order of finish.

Eighttofasttocatch, a 6-year-old Maryland-bred by Not For Love, finished in 1:53.43 over a good, sealed track on a showery afternoon. Trained by Tim Keefe for Sylvia E. Heft, he paid $2.40 as the favorite.