The Maryland Thoroughbred trade could have its second within the solar on Saturday, Oct. 12, when Laurel Park performs host to the 39th version of the Jim McKay Maryland Million. The occasion, launched in 1986 by the legendary sportscaster and devoted supporter of horse racing Jim McKay, spotlights horses by stallions standing in Maryland on the time of their conception. It’s yearly a incredible betting day, and this 12 months isn’t any exception. Of the 12 races on this system, 9 of them have a minimum of 10 horses in the principle physique of the sphere.
The showcase occasion, the $150,000, 1 ⅛ mile Maryland Million Basic Stakes, drew an 11-horse subject plus two also-eligibles. The horses on the also-eligible listing are Maryland-bred, however not Maryland-sired, and are permitted to attract into the race if the sphere scratches all the way down to fewer than eight Maryland-sired runners. It’s scheduled because the 11th race on Laurel’s card, with a scheduled publish time of 5:36 p.m. ET. The Maryland Million Basic and different races from the cardboard will probably be televised on FanDuel TV.
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Let’s meet the sphere for this 12 months’s Maryland Million Basic:
1. Little Lance (30-1 morning-line odds)
Coach and Proprietor: William Campbell
Jockey: J. D. Acosta
Profession report: 16 begins – 5 wins – 3 seconds – 2 thirds
Profession earnings: $133,045
Earnings per begin: $8,315
High Equibase Pace Determine: 95
Pedigree: Imagining – Babe’s Ruler, by Roman Ruler
Age: 3
Shade: Darkish bay or brown
Operating model: Press the tempo
Notable achievements and attention-grabbing information: Little Lance is one in all three 3-year-olds on this 12 months’s Basic, and he appears like he’ll go off because the longest value of the three, or of anybody within the race. He gained twice in a row on the Laurel Park summer time meet, together with a victory in opposition to first-level allowance rivals on Aug. 18, however has been well-beaten in his final two begins. His greatest effort doesn’t match up with the highest contenders on this subject in the event that they run to their prior kind. If nothing else, this gelding ought to get a pleasant journey score off the tempo on the within. Little Lance was bred by high Mid-Atlantic coach Jamie Ness underneath the title Jagger Inc., and claimed by his present proprietor/coach for $20,000 on Could 5.
Wager Little Lance within the Maryland Million Basic.
2. Crossland (12-1)
Coach: Kerry Hohlbein
Proprietor: 3 Causes Racing
Jockey: Angel Cruz
Profession report: 29 begins – 4 wins – 8 seconds – 5 thirds
Profession earnings: $237,287
Earnings per begin: $8,182
High Equibase Pace Determine: 95
Pedigree: Holy Boss – Maryland Mystique, by Suave
Age: 5
Shade: Chestnut
Operating model: Press the tempo
Notable achievements and attention-grabbing information: Crossland was awarded the victory in his final begin on Aug. 18, when he was disqualified after being herded within the stretch. It was his first victory in 10 begins this 12 months, a lot of which have some in opposition to barely lesser rivals than these he’ll see in Saturday’s Maryland Million Basic. He usually is ready to handle a pleasant journey simply off the leaders, however can’t capitalize within the stretch and solely hangs round for a slice of the purse. This gelding may be a good guess to spherical out the exotics, however he’ll must step it as much as win this race.
Wager Crossland within the Maryland Million Basic.
3. Market Maven (6-1)
Coach: Jacinto Solis
Proprietor: Gregory Gordon
Jockey: Mychel Sanchez
Profession report: 23 begins – 5 wins – 2 seconds – 5 thirds
Profession earnings: $284,660
Earnings per begin: $12,377
High Equibase Pace Determine: 106
Pedigree: Tremendous Ninety 9 – My Sonata, by Noble Causeway
Age: 6
Shade: Chestnut
Operating model: Stalker
Notable achievements and attention-grabbing information: Market Maven crossed the wire first in final 12 months’s Maryland Million Basic, however was disqualified for bumping rival Ain’t Da Beer Chilly within the stretch. He hasn’t recovered his greatest kind since then, ending no higher than third in seven subsequent begins. Nevertheless, he’s proven some enchancment in his previous few grime begins, closing off reasonable paces to get third in a pair of races at Parx Racing. With the proper early setup, he could possibly be a critical late think about Saturday’s renewal. Market Maven is one in all two horses within the race not bred in Maryland, being a Pennsylvania-bred homebred for Gregory Gordon.
Wager Market Maven within the Maryland Million Basic.
4. Mosler Time (5-1)
Coach: Cathal Lynch
House owners: Durr Racing Secure and Shawn Newsome
Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez
Profession report: 9 begins – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $107,110
Earnings per begin: $11,901
High Equibase Pace Determine: 100
Pedigree: Mosler – Curlins Queen, by Curlin
Age: 4
Shade: Bay
Operating model: Pacesetter/press the tempo
Notable achievements and attention-grabbing information: This Mosler gelding turned in a formidable efficiency final out, score off the tempo and drawing away to win by 6 ¾ lengths at Laurel on Sept. 7. A wide range of circumstances, starting from disliked surfaces to tough begins, have prevented him from constantly displaying his greatest stuff. Nevertheless, he’s lightly-raced with a lot of upside, and could also be sitting on a career-best race. Mosler Time will probably be ridden by Jaime Rodriguez, who gained the using title on the Laurel Park summer time meet and is perennially one of many main riders within the Mid-Atlantic.
Wager Mosler Time within the Maryland Million Basic.
5. Dolice Vita (8-1)
Coach: Philip Capuano
House owners: Taking Dangers Secure and Louis J. Ulman
Jockey: Forest Boyce
Profession report: 29 begins – 6 wins – 5 seconds – 4 thirds
Profession earnings: $191,266
Earnings per begin: $6,595
High Equibase Pace Determine: 100
Pedigree: Dortmund – Ronnet, by Demaloot Demashoot
Age: 5
Shade: Chestnut
Operating model: Pacesetter/press the tempo
Notable achievements and attention-grabbing information: Dolce Vita completed a well-beaten fourth in final 12 months’s Maryland Million Basic, and hasn’t gained in six journeys to the publish since then. He began his season with 4 in-the-money finishes, then went to the sidelines within the spring. The gelding then returned to the races in opposition to Maryland-restricted allowance rivals on Sept. 21, and light after racing vast. He in all probability wanted that race, and may enhance on that effort – however even at his greatest, he won’t have sufficient of a late punch to defeat this subject. He’s one in all two horses on this race skilled by Phil Capuano, who took over the string of his uncle, longtime Mid-Atlantic coach Dale Capuano, in 2023. Forest Boyce has gained eight Maryland Million races in her profession, together with the Basic with Eighttofasttocatch in 2013 and 2014.
Wager Dolice Vita within the Maryland Million Basic.
6. Hittheroadjak (15-1)
Coach: Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon
Proprietor: J R Sanchez Racing Secure
Jockey: Tais Lyapustina
Profession report: 5 begins – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $68,805
Earnings per begin: $13,761
High Equibase Pace Determine: 98
Pedigree: Kobe’s Again – Our Jaks, by Not For Love
Age: 3
Shade: Chestnut
Operating model: Pacesetter/press the tempo
Notable achievements and attention-grabbing information: Hittheroadjak is the lightest-raced horse within the subject, having made simply 5 begins, none of them past a mile. He made his first begin off a three-month layoff, and simply his second begin of his 3-year-old season, in a Maryland-restricted allowance race on Aug. 31 at Timonium. Hittheroadjak overcame early tempo strain and gained by 9 ¼ lengths, working a career-top Equibase determine by 24 factors. Saturday’s Basic is a stiff class take a look at for him, however he has sufficient uncooked potential that he might make an impression.
Wager Hittheroadjak within the Maryland Million Basic.
7. Ain’t Da Beer Chilly (12-1)
Coach: Kenneth Cox
House owners: Matt Spencer, Kelly Jo Cox, and Bonuccelli Racing
Jockey: Jevian Toledo
Profession report: 41 begins – 7 wins – 5 seconds – 5 thirds
Profession earnings: $465,224
Earnings per begin: 11,347
High Equibase Pace Determine: 106
Pedigree: Freedom Little one – Distinct Affair, by With Distinction
Age: 6
Shade: Chestnut
Operating model: Pacesetter
Notable achievements and attention-grabbing information: Named for a catchphrase of Baltimore sportscaster Chuck Thompson, Ain’t Da Beer Chilly was elevated to a 36.50-1 upset victory through disqualification in final 12 months’s Maryland Million Basic. Since then, he’s gained solely as soon as in 9 begins, when he bought away with sluggish early fractions and pulled off a 12.40-1 upset within the April 13 Native Dancer Stakes. When Ain’t Da Beer Chilly is left alone on the lead, he’s robust to catch, but when he can’t make the entrance, he’s in large bother. That was demonstrated in his final three begins, which he’s misplaced by a mixed 83 ¼ lengths. With pace drawn to his inside, he might need a tough time getting a comfortable lead Saturday, however Jevian Toledo, at the moment the main rider on the Laurel fall meet with 15 wins, will assuredly do all the things in his energy to get him there. Toledo is tied with Ramon Dominguez for second place on the all-time Maryland Million leaderboard with 17 victories. Solely Edgar Prado, with 18, has gained extra.
Wager Ain’t Da Beer Chilly within the Maryland Million Basic.
8. Feeling Woozy (9-2)
Coach and Proprietor: Hamilton Smith
Jockey: Victor Carrasco
Profession report: 22 begins – 3 wins – 4 seconds – 5 thirds
Profession earnings: $222,360
Earnings per begin: $10,107
High Equibase Pace Determine: 107
Pedigree: Irish Battle Cry – Stormy Love Affair, by Stormy Atlantic
Age: 4
Shade: Darkish bay or brown
Operating model: Stalker/nearer
Notable achievements and attention-grabbing information: Hamilton “Hammy” Smith has accomplished so much in his nearly-50-year coaching profession. Nevertheless, a victory within the Maryland Million Basic nonetheless eludes him. He’ll attempt to change that with Feeling Woozy. The 4-year-old gelding is coming off a third-place effort in a tricky third-level allowance optionally available claiming race held at six furlongs at Laurel on Sept. 7, the place he simply barely bought as much as accumulate the “present dough” after a large journey. Feeling Woozy’s solely win previously 12 months got here when he bought unfastened on a speed-favoring observe and gained by 11 ¼ lengths. That stated, his pace and tempo figures are aggressive with the remainder of the sphere, and he has confronted higher rivals for a lot of the 12 months. He has an opportunity to win the Maryland Million Basic, however be cautious of taking too low a value.
Wager Feeling Woozy within the Maryland Million Basic.
9. Mugatu (6-1)
Coach: Jeff Engler
House owners: Common Joe Racing Stables and Dan Wells
Jockey: Sheldon Russell
Profession report: 17 begins – 1 win – 2 seconds – 3 thirds
Profession earnings: $132,400
Earnings per begin: $7,788
High Equibase Pace Determine: 96
Pedigree: Blofeld – Union Approach, by Union Rags
Age: 3
Shade: Chestnut
Operating model: Nearer
Notable achievements and attention-grabbing information: If the title Mugatu rings a bell, it’s as a result of this colt made a cameo look within the Preakness Stakes again on Could 18. He raced vast all through within the 1 3/16-mile second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown and ended up well-beaten. Mugatu been conserving robust firm for a lot of the 12 months, and is winless in 10 begins. Maybe his greatest begin of the 12 months got here on this observe, when he was a sport second within the Aug. 4 Bald Eagle Derby. It’s potential his stylish firm strains, which embrace begins in races such because the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, the Iowa Derby, and the Bourbon Flight Stakes, will drive down his value come publish time Saturday. Nevertheless, if Mugatu goes off at a good quantity – someplace above his morning-line odds – he may be value a glance. Mugatu is a Kentucky-bred by Blofeld, who’s already the sire of three Maryland Million winners by solely 4 crops of racing age. Jockey Sheldon Russell has gained the Basic thrice, with Regal Solo in 2010, Eighttofasttocatch in 2011, and Monday Morning Qb in 2020.
Wager Mugatu within the Maryland Million Basic.
10. Good Ice (6-1)
Coach: Annette Eubanks
Proprietor: Crystal Park Stables
Jockey: Jeiron Barbosa
Profession report: 25 begins – 4 wins – 5 seconds – 4 thirds
Profession earnings: $232,490
Earnings per begin: $9,300
High Equibase Pace Determine: 109
Pedigree: Nice Notion – Little Ice Patch, by Housebuster
Age: 5
Shade: Darkish bay or brown
Operating model: Pacesetter/press the tempo
Notable achievements and attention-grabbing information: After a little bit of a swoon to start his 2024 season, Good Ice has discovered his greatest kind as of late. He crushed an open second-level allowance optionally available claiming subject on July 5 at Laurel, and adopted it up with a pair of spectacular second-place efforts in opposition to third-level allowance rivals. He hasn’t raced since Aug. 11, when he fought onerous in opposition to favored Irish Exit and misplaced by a nostril. Whereas his one-turn kind is sweet sufficient to win this, the Maryland Million Basic’s 1 1/8-mile distance is a query mark. He’s by no means ran this far earlier than, and was a well-beaten fifth in his most up-to-date two-turn begin. Good Ice is by the sire Nice Notion, who has been the main sire in Maryland for six consecutive years, and is properly on tempo for a seventh straight title. He’s the third-leading sire in Maryland Million historical past, with 20 winners to his credit score. Nevertheless, Nice Notion has but to be represented by a Maryland Million Basic winner.
Wager Good Ice within the Maryland Million Basic.
11. Vance Students (6-1)
Coach: Philip Capuano
House owners: Louis J. Ulman and Walter Vieser II
Jockey: Jorge Ruiz
Profession report: 25 begins – 4 wins – 7 seconds – 4 thirds
Profession earnings: $354,660
Earnings per begin: $14,186
High Equibase Pace Determine: 106
Pedigree: Holy Boss – Passionate Dancer, by Cat Thief
Age: 5
Shade: Chestnut
Operating model: Nearer
Notable achievements and attention-grabbing information: After ending second within the 2022 Maryland Million Basic, Vance Students is out for redemption on this 12 months’s renewal. He’s turned in a collection of strong performances in opposition to robust native rivals all year long, having hit the board six occasions in eight begins in 2024 and not using a victory to his credit score. That stated, he’s constantly one of many quickest horses within the race, and may get a robust tempo to shut into. Vance Students was initially bought for $22,000 as a yearling in 2020 by Steven Newby, who named him after a scholarship program established by Newby at Archbishop Carroll Excessive Faculty in Washington, D.C. In flip, that program is called for longtime D.C. newscaster Jim Vance, a 19-time Emmy Award winner. Present homeowners Louis Ulman and Walter Vieser II bought the gelding for $32,000 at public sale in August 2023.
Wager Vance Students within the Maryland Million Basic.
12. Goodafternoonoscar (additionally eligible, 20-1)
Coach: Carlos Mancilla
Proprietor: Michael Scheffres
Jockey: Jorge Ruiz
Profession report: 27 begins – 3 wins – 5 seconds – 9 thirds
Profession earnings: $224,380
Earnings per begin: $8,310
High Equibase Pace Determine: 102
Pedigree: Hoppertunity – Nice Hostess, by Nice Notion
Age: 4
Shade: Bay
Operating model: Press the tempo
Notable achievements and attention-grabbing information: Goodafternoonoscar is Maryland-bred, however not Maryland-sired (though his sire, Hoppertunity, now stands in Maryland and could have foals eligible for this race subsequent 12 months when they’re age 3). As such, he’ll require three defections to make it into the sphere. After beginning his profession 1-for-23, Goodafternoonoscar has discovered his greatest stride as of late, with two wins in his final 4 begins. He most just lately sat off the tempo and defeated second-level allowance optionally available claiming rivals on a really sloppy observe on Sept. 27 at Laurel. His greatest races have tended to be round one-turn and 1 1/8 miles may be a bit out of his wheelhouse.
Wager Goodafternoonoscar within the Maryland Million Basic.
13. Excellorator (additionally eligible, 6-1)
Coach: Jamie Ness
House owners: Madison Avenue Racing Secure, Morris E. Kernan Jr. and Jagger Inc.
Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez
Profession report: 24 begins – 9 wins – 5 seconds – 3 thirds
Profession earnings: $418,430
Earnings per begin: $17,435
High Equibase Pace Determine: 107
Pedigree: Orb – Purple Velvet, by Metropolis Zip
Age: 6
Shade: Bay
Operating model: Pacesetter/press the tempo
Notable achievements and attention-grabbing information: Excellorator has raced thrice since coming back from a 16 ½-month layoff in early July, and has improved with every race. He was unable to carry off the late cost of deep nearer Armando R on this observe on Sept. 13, however held on for second over Vance Students. This gelding by Kentucky Derby winner Orb has loads of again class, and will probably be a contender if he attracts in. Coach Jamie Ness has gained three Maryland Million races, together with the 2022 Basic with Ournationonparade, and was the coach of Market Maven when he was disqualified from first in final 12 months’s renewal.
Wager Excellorator within the Maryland Million Basic.
