Laurel Park: Maryland Million Day Preview

This Saturday (October 18th) is Maryland’s Day At The Races. Better known as Jim McKay’s Maryland Million, It’s the one racing day of the year in Maryland where owners of runners either bred in Maryland or their sire was state bred, qualify to run on this great day of celebrating thoroughbred horse racing in Maryland.

If imitation is truly the sincerest form of flattery, then the Maryland Million has been flattered immensely. Since its inaugural year (1986), 20 other states and Canada have had special racing days modeled, at least in part, after the Maryland Million.

The Laurel Park racing office announced that a total of 188 pre-entries were named to the nine stakes races which comprise the 2014 Jim McKay Maryland Million. Two of the most well-known runners are Eighttofasttocatch, seeking his third victory in the Maryland Million Classic and Ben’s Cat who can become the first four-time Maryland Million Day winner.

Ben’s Cat is cross-entered in the Turf and Sprint. When asked in which race the 8-year-old son of Parker’s Storm would likely start, trainer/owner King T. Leatherbury stated, “... leaning towards the Sprint.” Can you blame him after last years’ loss in the (one mile) Turf by a neck to Roadhog?

Roadhog, the 7-year-old son of Bowman’s Band will attempt a three-peat in the Maryland Million Turf. Only Safely Kept (Distaff, ’89-91), Countus In (Ladies, ’89-91), Mz. Zill Bear (Ladies, ’93-95) and Ben’s Cat (’Turf Sprint, 10-’12) have accomplished such a feat.

Leatherbury is tied with Dale Capuano for the top spot in the Maryland Million trainer standings. Both conditioners have saddled ten (10) winners. On Saturday Capuano has two runners entered, Wild for Love in Distaff Starter Hcp. and Monster Sleeping seeking a repeat in the Ladies, while Leatherbury’s lone entry is Ben’s Cat.

The Post Position draw for the $1 million day of racing will be held at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 15th in Laurel’s new “Tips” restaurant. It’s an 11-race card (9 stakes plus two maiden turf races) for the 29th year of this event.

First post on Saturday is 12:15pm EDT. HRTV will have a live presence for the entire card with hosts Caton Bredar and Dick Jerardi.

An additional promotion on “Million Day” features a FREE Maryland Million sports cap to the first 4,000 full-paid admissions. On-track entertainment between races will include two pony races, Special Olympics Maryland, Suttler Clydesdales, Goshen Foxhounds, Side Saddle Ladies, and Roman and Trick Riding by Rachel Jackson.