Horse escapes Maryland racetrack, gallops along road

LAUREL, Md. - Racetrack officials say a horse escaped from Laurel Park in Maryland and galloped 1.6 miles on a road with traffic before being caught.

Laurel Park spokesman Mike Gathagan says a 4-year-old gelding named Bullet Catcher was heading back to the barn after a workout about 9 a.m. Friday. Gathagan says the animal tossed a jockey and ran off the track onto Route 1.

Another jockey followed the horse in a truck.

The horse finally slowed down in front of a car dealership, and the jockey and a trainer were able to catch him. The animal was taken back to the track in a van.

Gathagan says the horse has some abrasions on his feet, but the full extent of any injuries would not be known for a few days.