How to make money betting 2017's Maryland Million Day card

The annual Jim McKay Maryland Million program has always been a must-see event for me since its inception in 1986. I have attended the Maryland showcase many times over the years, and the 2017 renewal features full fields and many excellent wagering opportunities. Let’s dive into the card:

Maryland Million Nursery (Race 3 - Six Furlongs) 

#4 PASCAL CHANT (8-1) is going to have to move forward to compete here but he might do just that after back-to-back fast local workouts. He will probably stalk the pace under Edgar Prado. 

#2 Jamaican Don (8-5) is quick enough to go all the way. He dusted a next out winner as the heavy favorite in his Thistledown bow and set the pace and held the place in a 5.5 furlong Delaware stakes event Sept. 30. 

#1 Clever Mind (5-1) is a Graham Motion first timer with an Oct. 6 Fair Hill bullet. Dam has produced four winners from as many starters (1 stakes winner). 

#9 Onemoregreattime (7-2) ran well in three of four outings and might be able to relax a bit from an outer post. 

AE #10 Whereshetoldmetogo (2-1) ran extremely well in all three sprints and is a strong win threat from off the pace if able to get in from the also-eligible list.

THE PLAYS: 

#4 to win

Exacta 4/1-2-9-10

Exacta 1-2-9-10/4  

Maryland Million Sprint Handicap (Race 4 - Six Furlongs)

#1 PETE’S PLAY CALL (5-1) earned a big number in a sharp stalk/pounce extended sprint score from the inside post vs. $50k claimers on a good track at Saratoga Aug. 18. He finished in the top three in his last seven starts and projects a ground saving tactical trip under Sheldon Russell. 

#8 Blu Moon Ace (9-5) is a sharp early/pressing threat for outstanding dirt sprint trainer Kevin Patterson (40% wins/dirt sprints). He earned strong numbers in his last pair and just missed in the G3 De Francis Dash. 

#2 Rockinn On Bye (10-1) is a consistent top three finisher at this course and distance and might be able to rally for a share. 

#7 Nicaradalic Rocks (12-1) is another consistent underneath finisher with the ability to spice up the exotics.

THE PLAYS:

#1 to win

Exacta Box 1-8

Trifecta 1-8/ALL/2-7 

Maryland Million Lassie (Race 5 - Six Furlongs) 

#8 PIKACHU PRINCESS (9-2) won her local maiden claiming debut in the slop and just missed the show in a Delaware stakes event second time out. She was pinched at the start and ended up a clear 2nd in a restricted Delaware stakes Sept. 30. Blinkers might help her focus better. Trainer Gina Rosenthal is 4-for-13 at Laurel and 2-for-9 blinkers on. 

#3 Pearl Gem (6-1) finished up nicely in her local maiden claiming debut win Oct. 1 and Mary Eppler is 30% in the non-graded stakes ranks. Alex Cintron is 0-for-17 with this barn and she gets pace to chase in the paper race. 

#10 Margie’s Money (5-2) is 2-for-2 and figures in the hunt throughout. Her Pace Ratings went up Oct. 1 and her Final Rating decreased, so she may be vulnerable late if pressured early. 

#11 Limited View (2-1) is 2-for-2 in Laurel dirt sprints and looms a pace factor at the very least. 

AE #12 Enchanted Star (5-2) owns an ascending numbers pattern and easily won her last two after getting dusted by Margie’s Minute in her debut. 

AE #14 Frechette (12-1) missed by a head in her local bow Oct. 14 and is an interesting contender if she gets in for Graham Motion. 

THE PLAYS: 

#8 to win

Exacta 8/3-10-11

Exacta 3-10-11/8

Trifecta Key 8/3-10-11-12-14 

Maryland Million Turf (Race 8 - One Mile Turf) 

#4 SPARTIANOS (5-1) stretches out and might get brave if able to sneak away early. He set the pace and held the place in this event last year. 

#5 Talk Show Man (2-1) does his best work at this distance on turf (4-for-6) and will try to get involved late under his new rider Daniel Centeno. 

#6 Somekindofmagician (5-2) brings decent turf sprint form to the table but flopped in his lone flat mile start and might not want to go this far. 

#3 Grandiflora (6-1) finished 3rd in this event last year and figures to stalk the pace. 

#2 Dothat Dance (8-1) hit the board in six of seven local turf starts and can finish underneath at a price.  

#10 Just Howard (8-5) added blinkers and reeled off four straight turf routes for Graham Motion including local stakes scores in his last three. He is an obvious threat if he draws in from the also-eligible list. 

THE PLAYS: 

#4 to win

Exacta 4/5-6-10

Exacta 5-6-10/4

Trifecta 4-5-6-10/2-3-4-5-6-10/2-3    

Maryland Million Classic (Race 10 - Nine Furlongs)

#9 CLUBMAN (10-1) might be sharp enough to take this after winning his last three (two wins at Laurel) under today’s rider Sheldon Russell. He gets pace to chase in the paper race. 

#2 John Jones (2-1) got going too late in a Belmont turf sprint that was an obvious prep for this (first start in nine-plus months). He captured his last five Laurel starts and figures in the hunt throughout.

#11 Ghost Bay (8-1) almost upset Just Howard in the grassy Find Stakes Aug 19 and he handles the main track as well. He will try to get involved late. 

#12 Southside Warrior (10-1) won a $40k claiming race at this distance at Saratoga Aug. 19 and Trombetta claimed him that day. He was 5th of 12 on Laurel turf Sept 23 and a clear 3rd behind a romping winner on Parx dirt Oct 14. 

#5 Bonus Points (3-1) will probably get overbet for Todd Pletcher because he competed in six graded sophomore stakes this year. His numbers are nothing special and he landed the place in his previous two local stakes tries. 

#1 Admirals War Chest (10-1) wired the field in the last two renewals of the Maryland Million Classic but meets other speed and may not be fit enough after fading early in his Laurel prep for this Oct. 8 (first start in 10+ months). 

THE PLAYS: 

#9 to win

Exacta 9/2-11-12

Exacta 2-11-12/9

Trifecta 2-9/ALL/11-12