Maryland Million Classic Explained

Class:Restricted State-bred Stakes
Horse Race:Maryland Million Classic
Location:Laurel Park Racecourse,
Laurel, Maryland,
United States
Inaugurated:1986
Race Type:Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Distance: miles (9 furlongs)
Surface:Dirt
Track:left-handed
Qualification:Three-year-olds and up
Purse:$150,000

Maryland Million Classic is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in October since 1986 primarily at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland or at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. To be eligible for the Maryland Million Classic, a horse must be sired by a stallion who stands in Maryland. Due to that restriction the race is classified as a non-graded or "listed" stakes race and is not eligible for grading by the American Graded Stakes Committee.

The race is part of Maryland Million Day, an 11-race program held in mid October that was the creation of renowned television sports journalist Jim McKay. The "Maryland Million" is the first State-Bred showcase event ever created. Since 1986, 27 other events in 20 states have imitated the showcase and its structure.[1]

From its inception in 1986 through 1992, the race was run on dirt at a distance of one mile. From 1993 though 2008, it has been a mile competition. Since 2009, it has been a mile event and currently offers a purse of $150,000. In addition to the prize money, the winning owner receives a Maryland Million Waterford Crystal bowl.

In its 30th running in 2015, the race was restricted to those horses who were sired by a stallion who stands in the state of Maryland. Both the entrant horse and their stallion had to be nominated to the Maryland Million program.

The race itself has had many titles since 1986 due in large part to the aggressive marketing efforts of Maryland Million Limited, the series corporate founder. In its first seven years, from 1986 through 1992, the race was called the "Budweiser Maryland Million Classic." From 1993 through 1996 the race was known as the "First National Bank of Maryland Classic." From 1997 through 2004 the race was known as the "Cosamin DS Maryland Classic."

Records

Speed record:

Most wins by a horse: - Five horses have won the Maryland Million Classic twice:

Most wins by an owner:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Winners of the Maryland Million Classic since 1986

Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Dist.
(Miles)
Time
Purse
2021Prendemi6Mychel Sanchez Luis Carvajal, Jr.G. J. Stable1-1/81:50.46$150,000
2020Monday Morning Qb 3Sheldon RussellRobert E. Reid Jr.Cash is King LLC1-1/81:48.13$150,000
2019Forest Fire4Paco LopezJohn C. ServisShirley A. Lojeski1-1/81:50.42$150,000
2018Saratoga Bob4Edgar PradoKatharine VossRobert Manfuso & Katharine Voss1-1/81:51.28$150,000
2017Bonus Points5Nik JuarezTodd PletcherThree Diamonds Farm1-1/81:50.50 $150,000
2016Admirals War Chest5Taylor M. HoleCorby CaiazzoSinatra Thoroughbreds Racing1-1/81:51.28 $150,000
2015Admirals War Chest4Taylor M. HoleCorby CaiazzoSinatra Thoroughbreds Racing1-1/81:51.49 $150,000
2014Eighttofasttocatch8Forest BoyceTim KeefeSylvia E. Heft1-1/81:50.54 $150,000
2013Eighttofasttocatch7Forest BoyceTim KeefeSylvia E. Heft1-1/81:50.42 $150,000
2012Not Abroad5Nick PetroMichael PetroTim Cunningham1-1/81:51.06 $150,000
2011Eighttofasttocatch5Sheldon RussellTim KeefeDark Hollow Farm/ Herringswell Stable1-1/81:50.65$150,000
2010Regal Solo5Sheldon RussellDamon DilodovicoAlvin M. Lapidus1-1/81:51.43 $150,000
2009Sumacha’hot4Grant WhitacreButch CaveButch Cave1-1/81:50.26$250,000
2008Cuba7Pedro Cotto, Jr.Bobby DibonaLeo-Sag Stable1-3/161:57.78$300,000
2007Evil Storm6Jeremy RoseMichael GorhamOld Coach Farm1-3/161:58.19$300,000
2006Due5Rosie NapravnikDale CapuanoRobRy Farm/J. Slysz1-3/161:58.38$250,000
2005Play Bingo4Ryan FogelsongerJohn R. S. FisherErdenheim Farm1-3/161:59.08$250,000
2004Presidentialaffair5Stewart ElliottMartin E. CiresaCirsea/Papapandrea1-3/161:55.58$200,000
2003Docent5Clinton PottsTimothy F. RitcheyMrs. Bernard J. Daney1-3/161:54.94$200,000
2002Docent 4Jeremy RoseTimothy F. RitcheyMrs. Bernard J. Daney1-3/161:56.85$200,000
2001Sumerset4Jeremy RoseTimothy F. RitcheyE & G Stables1-3/161:57.20$200,000
2000Testing7Jose A. Velez, Jr.Peter FortayDennis A. Drazin1-3/161:54.51$200,000
1999Perfect to a Tee7Alcibiades C. CortezLinda L. AlbertThe Nonsequitur Stable1-3/161:56.00$200,000
1998Algar 6Edgar S. PradoBarbara C. GrahamBarbara C. Graham1-3/161:56.00$200,000
1997Algar 5Edgar S. PradoBarbara C. GrahamBarbara C. Graham1-3/161:58.00$200,000
1996Frugal Doc9C. Omar KlingerD. Scott PoseyL.W.B.R. Stable1-3/161:54.00$200,000
1995Brilliant Patriot4Mario G. PinoVincent L. BlengsW. Harrison/L. Pomerantz1-3/161:58.00$200,000
1994Taking Risks4Mark T. JohnstonKing T. LeatherburyLakeville Stables1-3/161:54.00$200,000
1993Forry Cow How5Larry C. ReynoldsRonald CartwrightBuckingham Farm1-3/161:55.00$150,000
1992Reputed Testamony5Kent DesormeauxRichard HemmingsMatt P. Kane et al.1-1/42:03.00$150,000
1991Timely Warning6Mike LuzziVirgil W. RainesAnderson Fowler1-1/42:02.00$200,000
1990Timely Warning5Craig PerretVirgil W. RainesAnderson Fowler1-1/42:02.00$200,000
1989Master Speaker4Julie KroneVirgil W. RainesAnderson Fowler1-1/42:02.00$200,000
1988Mister S. M.4José A. SantosStephen L. DiMauroS. F. Morrell1-1/42:01.00$200,000
1987Little Bold John5Donnie Miller Jr.Jerry RobbJohn E. "Jack" Owens III1-1/42:03.00$200,000
1986Herat 4Jerry D. BaileyJack Van BergJohn A. Franks1-1/42:03.00$200,000

See also

References

Maryland Million Official Site

Notes and References

  1. Maryland Million 2008, October 4, Laurel Park, Official Souvenir Guide for 23rd Running, page 4 and 5.