Horse escapes and stuns drivers

UNDATED (NBC) -- A horse escaped from Laurel Park and galloped 1.6 miles on a road with traffic before being caught, according to racetrack officials.

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

Another jockey, Abel Castellano, 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 the horse. The animal was taken back to the track in a van.

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