After a five-month layoff with minor shin issues, It’s Hammertime made a triumphant return to the track Sunday, capturing the featured $63,000 allowance optional claiming race at Laurel Park with authority. The chestnut colt, trained by Gary Capuano and confidently ridden by jockey J.G. Torrealba, proved he hadn’t missed a beat since his last start in November.

Breaking a touch outward from post 5, It’s Hammertime quickly straightened and settled just off the early pace before assuming command near the five-sixteenths pole. Turning for home, he repelled a determined bid from longshot Reggie Runs Rogue and widened his advantage late to win by three lengths in a final time of 1:11.46 for six furlongs on a “good” track.

“Torrealba said that when that horse came to him through the stretch, he just kind of took off,” Capuano said. “So he ran huge.”

The performance marked the fourth win in five starts for the Maryland-bred son of Vekoma, who now boasts career earnings of $227,470. It’s Hammertime kicked off his career with three consecutive wins, including scores in the First State Dash and the Rocky Run, both at Delaware Park. He suffered his lone defeat November 2 as the favorite in the Nashua at Aqueduct.

“It was a solid race,” Capuano said. “Usually this race never fills. I mean what was it? Probably 10 years this hadn’t filled. But it was just a solid, solid bunch of horses.”

His connections—Eagle Up Stables, London Reid Thoroughbreds, and Non Stop Stable—are eyeing a return to stakes company next, possibly targeting the May 17 Grade 3 Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico.

Behind the winner, Reggie Runs Rogue put in a solid effort, briefly threatening in the stretch before settling for second at odds of 22-1. Third went to Barbadian Runner, a two-time stakes winner, who rallied mildly down the lane. Stakes-caliber runners Do It for Michael, winner of the Maryland Million Nursery, and Saxton, runner-up in the Jimmy Winkfield last out, rounded out the field but faded in the stretch.

Off as the favorite, It’s Hammertime paid $3.20 to win and topped an exacta that returned $16.70 for a one-dollar wager.

In what was essentially a stakes-quality affair masquerading as an allowance, It’s Hammertime proved he’s back in top form—and ready to return to stakes company once more.