- Maryland Million Classic
-
Restricted State-bred Stakes race Maryland Million Classic Location Laurel Park Racecourse, 
Laurel, Maryland, United States
Inaugurated 1986 Race type Thoroughbred - Flat racing Website Marylandthoroughbred.com Race information Distance 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) Track Dirt, 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, a 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 imitaded the showcase and it's 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 1-3/16 mile competition. Since 2009, it has bee a 1-1/8 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 24th running in 2009, 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."
Contents
Records
Speed record:
- 1-1/8 mile - 1:50.26 - Sumacha’hot (2009)
- 1-3/16 miles - 1:54.00 - Taking Risks (1994) & Frugal Doc (1996)
- 1-1/4 mile - 2:01.00 - Mister S. M. (1988)
Most wins by a horse: - Three horses have won the Maryland Million Classic twice:
- 2 - Docent (2002 & 2003); Algar (1997 & 1998); Timely Warning (1990 & 1991)
Most wins by an owner:
- 3 - Anderson Fowler
Most wins by a jockey:
- 3 - Edgar Prado
- 3 - Jeremy Rose
Most wins by a trainer:
- 3 - Timothy F. Ritchey
- 3 - Virgil W. Raines
Winners of the Maryland Million Classic
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance
(Miles)Time Purse 2011 Eighttofasttocatch 5 Sheldon Russell Tim Keefe Dark Hollow Farm/
Herringswell Stable1-1/8 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 Rob Ry Farm/Jayne 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 Ed Cirsea/
V. Papapandrea1-3/16 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 B. 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 Jose A. Santos Stephen L. DiMauro S. F. Morrell 1-1/4 2:01.00 $200,000 1987 Little Bold John 5 Donnie A. Miller, Jr. John J. Robb J. E. 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
References
- ^ Maryland Million 2008, October 4, Laurel Park, Official Souvenir Guide for 23rd Running, page 4 and 5.
Categories:- Horse races in Maryland
- Horse races in the United States
- Laurel Park Racecourse
- Recurring sporting events established in 1986
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