LAUREL, Md. (January 11, 2013)--A horse that escaped Friday from Laurel Park in Laurel, Md., galloped 1.6 miles on a road with traffic before handlers caught up with it, officials said.

Laurel Park spokesman Mike Gathagan said the 4-year-old gelding named Bullet Catcher was being ridden back to the barn after a workout at around 9 a.m. Friday when the animal tossed off its 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 hoofs, but the full extent of any injuries would not be known for a few days.