This year’s Maryland Million, to be run Oct. 2 at Laurel Park, attracted 110 horses on an 11-race program highlighted by the $150,000 Maryland Million Classic at 1 1/8 miles.
The Maryland Million was the first of the state-bred championship days now held in more than 20 racing states. The program has been held at Laurel and Pimlico Race Course over the years.
Purses for the day will total $1,050,000. After the Classic, eight of the stakes will offer a purse of $100,000, and two starter handicaps will go for $50,000 each.
The program will begin at 12:35 p.m. EDT, with the Classic scheduled for 5:55 p.m. HRTV will provide on-site coverage of the Maryland Million.
The Classic attracted a well-matched field of eight in which several could vie for favoritism. Among them is Timothy Cunningham’s Not Abroad, who earlier this year finished second behind the highly-regarded Trickmeister in the Barbaro Stakes at Delaware Park.
Trained by Mike Petro, with brother Nick Petro named to ride, Not Abroad won an allowance event at Delaware Park two starts back, and last year finished second twice—once in a stakes—in two starts on the Laurel surface.
Not Abroad, by Not For Love out of the Broad Brush mare Timely Broad, is one of two 3-year-olds in the Maryland Million Classic. The other is Morris Stable’s Regal Warrior, who last year finished third in the Classic and then won the state-bred Jennings Handicap at Laurel.
$150,000 Maryland Million Classic (Race 10, 5:55 p.m.), 3YO&Up, 1 1/8 Miles (Dirt)
PP, Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Movin' Out (PA) E Camacho 121 K W LeBarron
2. Northpoint Costas (MD) (no rider named) 121 D Capuano
3. Not Abroad (MD) N J Petro 114 M P Petro
4. Cuba (NJ) E Trujillo 119 G D Sacco
5. Regal Solo (MD) Russell 119 D R Dilodovico
6. Eighttofasttocatch (MD) L Garcia 119 T L Keefe
7. In the Juice (MD) O Castillo 119 J J Robb
8.Regal Warrior (MD) J Pimentel 114 M J Trombetta
In other Maryland Million races, All Giving ($100,000 Distaff), Roaring Lion ($100,000 Sprint), Natural Seven ($100,000 Sprint Turf), Talkin About Love ($100,000 Ladies), and Serenadia ($50,000 Distaff Starter Handicap) will attempt to defend titles. Overall 13 previous winners are nominated, including the last three in the Sprint Turf: Kosmo's Buddy (2007), millionaire Heros Reward (2008), and Natural Seven (2009).
Maryland-sired Thoroughbreds are nominated before they become 2-year-olds and remain eligible for life to run in the Maryland Million races. After 24 editions of the series, 211 stallions have been represented in Maryland Million races.
Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim McKay originally proposed the concept and remained chairman of the board until his death two years ago. Twenty times attendance figures have topped 20,000 for the event, Maryland Jockey Club officials said.
The Maryland Million will air on HRTV, with Caton Bredar and Dick Jerardi anchoring the coverage.
