The board of the Maryland Million announced July 23 the approval of three significant changes for the 28th Jim McKay Maryland Million, to be run on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Laurel Park.
The day of racing for the offspring of eligible Maryland-based stallions will no longer card the Oaks and the Turf Sprint, and the distance of the Turf has been modified to one mile.
The Oaks, for 3-year-old fillies, has been run since Maryland Million's inception in 1986. The Turf Sprint, won the past three years by Ben's Cat, was first contested in 2004.
With the elimination of the Turf Sprint, the distance of the Turf has been shortened. Running in 2013 for the 28th time, the race was initially a 1 1/16 mile test until the 1993 running, when it was lengthened to 1 1/8 miles.
This year's Maryland Million Day will have two new opportunities for maiden turf runners, each offering a $50,000 purse. Maryland Million and/or Maryland-bred horses will be eligible for the 1 1/16 mile races for 3-year-olds and up, with Maryland Million-eligible horses preferred. Second preference will be for horses that have run for at least $12,500 in their last three starts.
Pre-entry deadline for the 28th Jim McKay Maryland Million Day is Oct. 10. The condition book will be made available in August.
More information is available by contacting the Maryland Million directly at 410-252-2100 or via their website, www.marylandmillion.com.
