Laurel: Eighttofasttocatch shows new stalking ability in Broad Brush

Eighttofasttocatch usually prefers to race on the front end. But he proved Saturday that he doesn’t need the early lead to be effective.

Stalking pacesetter Warrioroftheroses after breaking from post 10, Eighttofasttocatch concluded his successful 7-year-old campaign by winning his third straight stakes since mid-October in the $100,000 Broad Brush at Laurel Park.

Warrioroftheroses, who sprinted for most of the year, was sent to the front by Julian Pimentel and led through fractions of 49.51 seconds and 1:14.14. Forest Boyce moved Eighttofasttocatch ($3.40) to within a half-length after the first six furlongs of the 1 1/8-mile race. Eighttofasttocatch surged to the front at the quarter pole and was not seriously threatened in the stretch. He finished two lengths clear of runner-up A.P. Cino while completing the nine furlongs on a muddy track in 1:52.01. Gourmet Dinner checked in third.

The two West Virginia-bred standouts, Lucy’s Bob Boy and Fred High, wound up seventh and eighth, respectively, in the eight-horse field.

“We worked on simulating the race with other horses in the morning in case he had to race outside,” said Tim Keefe, the trainer of Eighttofasttocatch. “Peter Brown, his exercise rider, didn’t really have to ask him to go. He is such a smart horse, he knew just what to do. The fractions were a little slower than we expected. He is really right now. The race set up as we expected and he relaxed just off the pace. When Forest asked him to go, he was ready.”

* New York shipper Mamdooha ($3.40) drew clear under Eddie Castro to score a 4 1/2-length victory in the $100,000 Gin Talking for 2-year-old fillies. Mamdooha, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin for Shadwell Stable, ran seven furlongs in 1:26.33 for her second win in three starts.

Tupancy Links, a 12-1 outsider, finished second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Venice Queen. Respectful Wishes set the early pace and faded to last as the 3-2 second choice.

* Joint Custody ($7.80), beaten nearly six lengths by Jessethemarine in last month’s James Lewis, turned the tables on the 6-5 favorite by winning the $100,000 Marylander for 2-year-olds. Ridden by Wesley Ho for trainer John Robb, Joint Custody was in front wire to wire, completing the seven furlongs in 1:25.38. Jessethemarine, 35-1 when he upset the Lewis, beat out Classic Giacnroll by a neck for second.