Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Il Villano, under Kendrick Carmouche, avoids getting splashed with mud by running on the front end in the Dave's Friend.
Il Villano has been coming from off the pace in his recent races, including a nose defeat in his last visit to Laurel Park for the $350,000 Frank De Francis Memorial Dash two months ago. But he proved even more effective racing on the front end over a muddy track Saturday in the $100,000 Dave’s Friend Stakes for older sprinters.
Sent to the front by jockey Kendrick Carmouche to challenge New York shipper This Ones for Phil, Il Villano ($6.40) put away the 3-2 favorite and splashed his way to a 3 1/2-length victory.