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.Maryland Million 2008, October 4, Laurel Park, Official Souvenir Guide for 23rd Running, page 4 and 5.
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: mile - 1:50.19 - Brilliant Ice (2024) miles - 1:54.00 - Taking Risks (1994) & Frugal Doc (1996) 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: 3 - Edgar Prado 3 - Jeremy Rose 3 - Sheldon Russell Most wins by a trainer: 3 - Timothy F. Ritchey 3 - Virgil W. Raines
Winners of the Maryland Million Classic since 1986 Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Dist. (Miles) Time Purse2024Brilliant Ice5Jeiron BarbosaAnnette M. EubanksCrystal Park Stables1-1/81:50.19$153,0002023Ain't Da Beer Cold5Jevian ToledoKenneth M. CoxSpencer, Matt, Cox, Kelly Jo and Bonuccelli Racing1-1/81:52.39$150,0002022Ournationonparade5Jaime RodriguezJamie NessKernan Jr., Morris E., Yo Berbs and Jagger, Inc.1-1/81:51.78$150,0002021Prendemi6Mychel Sanchez Luis Carvajal, Jr.G. J. Stable1-1/81:50.46$150,0002020Monday Morning Qb 3Sheldon RussellRobert E. Reid Jr.Cash is King LLC1-1/81:48.13$150,0002019Forest Fire4Paco LopezJohn C. ServisShirley A. Lojeski1-1/81:50.42$150,0002018Saratoga Bob4Edgar PradoKatharine VossRobert Manfuso & Katharine Voss1-1/81:51.28$150,0002017 Bonus Points5 Nik Juarez Todd Pletcher Three Diamonds Farm1-1/81:50.50 $150,0002016 Admirals War Chest5 Taylor M. Hole Corby Caiazzo Sinatra Thoroughbreds Racing1-1/81:51.28 $150,0002015 Admirals War Chest4 Taylor M. Hole Corby Caiazzo Sinatra Thoroughbreds Racing1-1/81:51.49 $150,0002014 Eighttofasttocatch8 Forest Boyce Tim Keefe Sylvia E. Heft1-1/81:50.54 $150,0002013 Eighttofasttocatch7 Forest Boyce Tim Keefe Sylvia E. Heft1-1/81:50.42 $150,0002012 Not Abroad5 Nick Petro Michael Petro Tim Cunningham1-1/81:51.06 $150,0002011 Eighttofasttocatch5 Sheldon Russell Tim Keefe Dark Hollow Farm/ Herringswell Stable1-1/81:50.65$150,0002010 Regal Solo5 Sheldon Russell Damon Dilodovico Alvin M. Lapidus1-1/81:51.43 $150,0002009 Sumacha’hot4 Grant Whitacre Butch Cave Butch Cave1-1/81:50.26$250,0002008 Cuba7 Pedro Cotto, Jr. Bobby Dibona Leo-Sag Stable1-3/161:57.78$300,0002007 Evil Storm6 Jeremy Rose Michael Gorham Old Coach Farm1-3/161:58.19$300,0002006 Due5 Rosie Napravnik Dale Capuano RobRy Farm/J. Slysz1-3/161:58.38$250,0002005 Play Bingo4 Ryan Fogelsonger John R. S. Fisher Erdenheim Farm1-3/161:59.08$250,0002004 Presidentialaffair5 Stewart Elliott Martin E. Ciresa Cirsea/Papapandrea1-3/161:55.58$200,0002003Docent5Clinton PottsTimothy F. RitcheyMrs. Bernard J. Daney1-3/161:54.94$200,0002002Docent 4Jeremy RoseTimothy F. RitcheyMrs. Bernard J. Daney1-3/161:56.85$200,0002001Sumerset4Jeremy RoseTimothy F. RitcheyE & G Stables1-3/161:57.20$200,0002000Testing7Jose A. Velez, Jr.Peter FortayDennis A. Drazin1-3/161:54.51$200,0001999Perfect to a Tee7Alcibiades C. CortezLinda L. AlbertThe Nonsequitur Stable1-3/161:56.00$200,0001998Algar 6Edgar S. PradoBarbara C. GrahamBarbara C. Graham1-3/161:56.00$200,0001997Algar 5Edgar S. PradoBarbara C. GrahamBarbara C. Graham1-3/161:58.00$200,0001996Frugal Doc9C. Omar KlingerD. Scott PoseyL.W.B.R. Stable1-3/161:54.00$200,0001995Brilliant Patriot4Mario G. PinoVincent L. BlengsW. Harrison/L. Pomerantz1-3/161:58.00$200,0001994Taking Risks4Mark T. JohnstonKing T. LeatherburyLakeville Stables1-3/161:54.00$200,0001993Forry Cow How5Larry C. ReynoldsRonald CartwrightBuckingham Farm1-3/161:55.00$150,0001992Reputed Testamony5Kent DesormeauxRichard HemmingsMatt P. Kane et al.1-1/42:03.00$150,0001991Timely Warning6Mike LuzziVirgil W. RainesAnderson Fowler1-1/42:02.00$200,0001990Timely Warning5Craig PerretVirgil W. RainesAnderson Fowler1-1/42:02.00$200,0001989Master Speaker4Julie KroneVirgil W. RainesAnderson Fowler1-1/42:02.00$200,0001988Mister S. M.4José A. SantosStephen L. DiMauroS. F. Morrell1-1/42:01.00$200,0001987Little Bold John5Donnie Miller Jr.Jerry RobbJohn E. "Jack" Owens III1-1/42:03.00$200,0001986Herat 4Jerry D. BaileyJack Van BergJohn A. Franks1-1/42:03.00$200,000
See also Maryland Million Classic top three finishers Maryland Million Day Laurel Park Racecourse
References
Maryland Million Official Site