Maryland Million Classic

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.

Maryland Million Classic
Restricted State-bred Stakes race
LocationLaurel Park Racecourse,
Laurel, Maryland,
United States
Inaugurated1986
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Websitewww.marylandthoroughbred.com/newsindex.php?articleid=953
Race information
Distance1+18 miles (9 furlongs)
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds and up
Purse$150,000

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 1+316 mile competition. Since 2009, it has been a 1+18 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

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Speed record:

  • 1+18 mile - 1:50.26 - Sumacha’hot (2009)
  • 1+316 miles - 1:54.00 - Taking Risks (1994) & Frugal Doc (1996)
  • 1+14 mile - 2:01.00 - Mister S. M. (1988)

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

  • 3 - Eighttofasttocatch (2011, 2013, 2014)
  • 2 - Admirals War Chest (2015, 2016)
  • 2 - Docent (2002 & 2003)
  • 2 - Algar (horse)|Algar (1997 & 1998)
  • 2 - Timely Warning (1990 & 1991)

Most wins by an owner:

  • 3 - Anderson Fowler

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Winners of the Maryland Million Classic since 1986

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Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Dist.
(Miles)
Time
Purse
2021 Prendemi 6 Mychel Sanchez Luis Carvajal, Jr. G. J. Stable 1-1/8 1:50.46 $150,000
2020 Monday Morning Qb 3 Sheldon Russell Robert E. Reid Jr. Cash is King LLC 1-1/8 1:48.13 $150,000
2019 Forest Fire 4 Paco Lopez John C. Servis Shirley A. Lojeski 1-1/8 1:50.42 $150,000
2018 Saratoga Bob 4 Edgar Prado Katharine Voss Robert Manfuso & Katharine Voss 1-1/8 1:51.28 $150,000
2017 Bonus Points 5 Nik Juarez Todd Pletcher Three Diamonds Farm 1-1/8 1:50.50 $150,000
2016 Admirals War Chest 5 Taylor M. Hole Corby Caiazzo Sinatra Thoroughbreds Racing 1-1/8 1:51.28 $150,000
2015 Admirals War Chest 4 Taylor M. Hole Corby Caiazzo Sinatra Thoroughbreds Racing 1-1/8 1:51.49 $150,000
2014 Eighttofasttocatch 8 Forest Boyce Tim Keefe Sylvia E. Heft 1-1/8 1:50.54 $150,000
2013 Eighttofasttocatch 7 Forest Boyce Tim Keefe Sylvia E. Heft 1-1/8 1:50.42 $150,000
2012 Not Abroad 5 Nick Petro Michael Petro Tim Cunningham 1-1/8 1:51.06 $150,000
2011 Eighttofasttocatch 5 Sheldon Russell Tim Keefe Dark Hollow Farm/ Herringswell Stable 1-1/8 1:50.65 $150,000
2010 Regal Solo 5 Sheldon Russell Damon Dilodovico Alvin M. Lapidus 1-1/8 1:51.43 $150,000
2009 Sumacha’hot 4 Grant Whitacre Butch Cave Butch Cave 1-1/8 1:50.26 $250,000
2008 Cuba 7 Pedro Cotto, Jr. Bobby Dibona Leo-Sag Stable 1-3/16 1:57.78 $300,000
2007 Evil Storm 6 Jeremy Rose Michael Gorham Old Coach Farm 1-3/16 1:58.19 $300,000
2006 Due 5 Rosie Napravnik Dale Capuano RobRy Farm/J. Slysz 1-3/16 1:58.38 $250,000
2005 Play Bingo 4 Ryan Fogelsonger John R. S. Fisher Erdenheim Farm 1-3/16 1:59.08 $250,000
2004 Presidentialaffair 5 Stewart Elliott Martin E. Ciresa Cirsea/Papapandrea 1-3/16 1:55.58 $200,000
2003 Docent 5 Clinton Potts Timothy F. Ritchey Mrs. Bernard J. Daney 1-3/16 1:54.94 $200,000
2002 Docent 4 Jeremy Rose Timothy F. Ritchey Mrs. Bernard J. Daney 1-3/16 1:56.85 $200,000
2001 Sumerset 4 Jeremy Rose Timothy F. Ritchey E & G Stables 1-3/16 1:57.20 $200,000
2000 Testing 7 Jose A. Velez, Jr. Peter Fortay Dennis A. Drazin 1-3/16 1:54.51 $200,000
1999 Perfect to a Tee 7 Alcibiades C. Cortez Linda L. Albert The Nonsequitur Stable 1-3/16 1:56.00 $200,000
1998 Algar 6 Edgar S. Prado Barbara C. Graham Barbara C. Graham 1-3/16 1:56.00 $200,000
1997 Algar 5 Edgar S. Prado Barbara C. Graham Barbara C. Graham 1-3/16 1:58.00 $200,000
1996 Frugal Doc 9 C. Omar Klinger D. Scott Posey L.W.B.R. Stable 1-3/16 1:54.00 $200,000
1995 Brilliant Patriot 4 Mario G. Pino Vincent L. Blengs W. Harrison/L. Pomerantz 1-3/16 1:58.00 $200,000
1994 Taking Risks 4 Mark T. Johnston King T. Leatherbury Lakeville Stables 1-3/16 1:54.00 $200,000
1993 Forry Cow How 5 Larry C. Reynolds Ronald Cartwright Buckingham Farm 1-3/16 1:55.00 $150,000
1992 Reputed Testamony 5 Kent Desormeaux Richard Hemmings Matt P. Kane et al. 1-1/4 2:03.00 $150,000
1991 Timely Warning 6 Mike Luzzi Virgil W. Raines Anderson Fowler 1-1/4 2:02.00 $200,000
1990 Timely Warning 5 Craig Perret Virgil W. Raines Anderson Fowler 1-1/4 2:02.00 $200,000
1989 Master Speaker 4 Julie Krone Virgil W. Raines Anderson Fowler 1-1/4 2:02.00 $200,000
1988 Mister S. M. 4 José A. Santos Stephen L. DiMauro S. F. Morrell 1-1/4 2:01.00 $200,000
1987 Little Bold John 5 Donnie Miller Jr. Jerry Robb John E. "Jack" Owens III 1-1/4 2:03.00 $200,000
1986 Herat 4 Jerry D. Bailey Jack Van Berg John A. Franks 1-1/4 2:03.00 $200,000

See also

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References

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

Maryland Million Official Site