El Kabeir earns 1st victory since March at Laurel

LAUREL, Md. (AP) El Kabeir won the $100,000 City of Laurel Stakes by a nose in a three-horse photo finish Saturday at Laurel Park.

It was the 3-year-old colt's first win since capturing the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct in March. He was later scratched from the Kentucky Derby with an injury to his left front foot.

El Kabeir was making his second start since returning from a 6 1/2-month layoff to finish fifth in the Bold Ruler at Belmont on Oct. 31. He is owned by Ahmed Zayat, who also owns recently retired Triple Crown champion American Pharoah.

Ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, El Kabeir ran seven furlongs in 1:23.58 and paid $4.20, $2.80 and $2.60 as the even-money favorite.

Roxbury N Overton returned $11 and $7.20 at 23-1 odds, while Duff was another nose back in third and paid $4.60 to show.

It was El Kabeir's fifth win in 10 career starts.