Halo's Security, from Friend Choice Farm, broke alertly, backed off to let Harvey Tenenbaum's Mindy Gale burn a path down the backside, then rallied to register a convincing victory in the seven-furlong $50,000 Stefanita Stakes for fillies and mares yesterday at Laurel Park.

The chestnut daughter of Hay Halo crossed under the finish line in 1 minute, 24 1/5 seconds, half a length better than Mindy Gale, who beat Belle De Soleil by an additional three lengths. Halo's Security paid $10.40 to win and topped an 8-1 exacta of $77.20. The 8-1-6 triple returned $844.80.

"This filly has been training really well and I expected her to run good today," said winning jockey Nik Goodwin. "We've been working to get her to relax. She was very kind going down the backside. I knew there wouldn't be a problem passing the leader when we turned for home. We were just cruising."

Goodwin earned his first stakes win since coming back from a riding injury two weeks ago.

Laurel Park takes a two-day hiatus today and tomorrow. Live racing resumes Wednesday with a 12: 35 p.m. post.

Pub Date: 11/16/98