First Look: Keeneland, Aqueduct + Maryland Million Classic

As we parse the possibilities for the Breeders' Cup, the graded-stakes calendar, Keeneland and the Belmont at Aqueduct meet offer a handful of graded stakes this weekend.

And Laurel Park hosts the Maryland Million Classic, the second-biggest race in the state.

Here's an early look at the likely fields.

Saturday

Hill Prince (G2), Aqueduct, 1 1/8 miles (turf), 3-year-olds

Mackinnon, third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, makes his first start outside of California in pursuit of his first win in four starts this year. He was bumped at the start of his last race, finishing sixth in the Del Mar Derby (G2). St. Anthony was eighth in the Del Mar Derby, and his last win was two starts back in a black-type stakes at Santa Rosa. Grand Sonata has a record of 7: 2-2-1 this year, with a win in the Kitten’s Joy (G3) early in the year and a runner-up effort in the Dueling Grounds Derby (G3) last out.

Noble Damsel (G3), Aqueduct, 1 mile (turf), fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

This will be the first start for Domain Expertise since she won the Florida Oaks (G3) in March. Por Que No is 0-for-3 this year and tries her first graded stakes. Plum Ali is 0-for-4 since winning a black-type stakes in April, but she finished second by a length and a half-length in her last two starts.

Raven Run (G2), Keeneland, 7 furlongs, 3-year-old fillies

Desert Dawn has finished in the money in her last five starts. Her last win was in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) in April, and she was third in the Kentucky Oaks. Wicked Halo’s win by a neck in the Prioress (G2) last out was her third consecutive victory. Fingal’s Cave is undefeated in four starts and tries her first graded stakes.

Maryland Million Classic (restricted), Laurel Park, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds and up

Hall of Fame sportscaster Jim McKay helped launch this race for Maryland-sired horses, and it’s the state’s biggest race after the Preakness. If the field doesn’t fill to eight with Maryland-sired horses, then it becomes open to Maryland-breds. Monday Morning Qb won this race in 2020 and had no starts the next year. He’s 0-for-4 this year. Prendimi won this race last year and is 0-for-3 since. Ournationonparade returns to stakes company after winning his last three starts.

Sunday

Dowager (G3), Keeneand, 1 1/2 miles (turf), fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Luck Money is 0-for-4 this year and was third last out in the Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon (G3). Sister Otoole won the listed CTT and TOC Stakes last out at Del Mar and was runner-up in the Robert G. Dick (G3) before that. Virginia Joy has three wins in five starts this year – all graded stakes – and most recently won the Flower Bowl (G2), where Temple City Terror finished fourth.

Probables were not available for the Ontario Matron (G3) or the Ontario Derby (G3) this weekend at Woodbine.