Evil Storm, Akronism, and Moon Catcher were among the winners on the Oct. 13 Maryland Million program at Laurel Park.
Old Coach Farm’s Evil Storm rallied from mid-pack in a field of eight to win the $285,000 Maryland Million Classic going away by three lengths.
With Jeremy Rose riding for trainer Mike Gorham, Evil Storm ($25.20 to win) sat in fifth or sixth for much of the 1 3/16-mile event. The 6-year-old gelding by Storm Broker out of the Piccolino mare Matti’s Pic rallied four wide the top of the stretch, took a half-length advantage over favored Five Steps, and drew off to win by three lengths.
The fractions on a fast track were :24.78 for the opening quarter-mile, :49.59 for a half-mile, 1:13.91 for six furlongs, and 1:39 for the mile. The final time was 1:58.19. Five Steps finished second, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Diamond David in third.
Evil Storm, bred in Maryland by Country Roads, picked up the first stakes victory of his career in the Classic. He finished third in last year’s edition of the centerpiece of the Maryland Million program.
Evil Storm has eight wins in 42 starts for earnings of $395,240.
In the $142,500 Maryland Million Distaff, Robert S. Evans’ Akronism led all the way to win the seven-furlong contest by three-quarters of a length over heavily favored Silmaril, who was seeking to become a millionaire.
With Anthony Black riding for trainer Tim Ritchey, Akronism ($9.60 to win) covered the distance in 1:24 after setting fractions of :22.94 for the opening quarter-mile, :46.34 for the half-mile, and 1:11.12 for six furlongs. It was the second stakes victory this year for Kentucky-bred 3-year-old filly Akronism (Not For Love--Jerry Bomb, by Explosive Bid), who earlier this year won the Jostle Stakes at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack.
Silmaril, a 6-year-old Maryland-bred owned by her breeders, Stephen Quick and Christopher Feifarek, finished 5 3/4 lengths ahead of third-place finisher For Kisses. Silmaril, with 11 stakes victories dating back to 2004, has earned $976,153 in her career.
In the $142,500 Maryland Million Oaks, Moon Catcher, winner of the Delaware Oaks (gr. II) earlier this year, cruised home under Black to win the one-mile test by 4 1/2 lengths as the heavy favorite.
Owned by CJZ Racing Stable and trainer Ritchey, Moon Catcher (Malibu Moon --Smartster, by Smarten) led all the way through fractions of :24.38 for the first quarter-mile, :47.48 for a half-mile, and 1:12.23 for six furlongs. The final time was 1:37.47, with Paying Off second and Loveyasister third.
Three-year-old Maryland-bred Moon Catcher ($3.20 to win) is now a three-time stakes winner with total earnings of $663,450.