10-03-2024 4:49am

LOCAL HORSES PREP

39th Jim McKay Maryland Million Attracts 270 Pre-Entries
Celebrating Maryland’s Horse Racing Heritage: A Day of Family Fun

Join us for a spectacular day at the Jim McKay Maryland Million Day, where excitement meets tradition in every race. Bring the whole family to enjoy thrilling horse races, interactive games, and local food favorites, all set in the heart of beautiful Maryland.

Each of our horses have a connection to Maryland keeping an emphasis on local stables and local owners. In the spirit of that we also have lots of Maryland vendors as well. Fun for the whole family it’s what sets us apart. Find out how different horse racing can be.

About Jim McKay Maryland Million Day

Jim McKay Maryland Million Day is a one-day sire stakes program offering purses and awards of more than $1 million restricted to the progeny of nominated stallions standing in the state. It was created in 1986 by the renowned ABC Sports broadcaster and Marylander Jim McKay. The concept was inspired by his visit to the inaugural Breeders’ Cup in 1984.

The race day focuses on Maryland-sired horses, giving breeders, owners, and trainers a day to showcase their homegrown talent. It quickly became one of the most anticipated events on the Maryland racing calendar and is known as “Maryland’s Day at the Races”.

Five defending champions, including last year's Classic winner Ain't Da Beer Cold and Turf Sprint winner Witty, plus a number of former Maryland Million Day winners are among the 270 runners pre-entered in the 39th Jim McKay Maryland Million, which will take place at Laurel Park on Oct. 12.

The 6-year-old Ain't Da Beer Cold, a son of former Country Life Farm stallion Freedom Child also pre-entered in the Maryland Million Turf, came into last year's Classic winless in nine starts on the year. He has just won once in seven starts in 2024, that coming in the Native Dancer Stakes this past April at Laurel Park. Ain't Da Beer Cold is one of 18 Classic pre-entries, which include Market Maven, who crossed the line first in last year's Classic before being disqualified to second.

Last year's Maryland Million Lassie winner Miss Harriett highlights 26 pre-entries in the $100,000 Distaff. A daughter of Blofeld, Narrow Leaf Farm's Miss Harriett won the Miss Disco Stakes in July at Laurel Park. Also among the pre-entries is 6-year-old Malibu Beauty (Buffum), seeking her first Maryland Million win but having a banner season of back-to-back stakes wins this summer.

The top two finishers in the July 16 Ben's Cat Stakes at Laurel are among the 26 pre-entered for the $100,000 Turf Sprint: Whenigettoheaven (Street Magician) and Tidewater (Outflanker). Last year's Turf Sprint champion Witty has made five starts this year, all stakes, is graded stakes-placed, and won the King T. Leatherbury back in April.

Runner-up in last year's $125,000 Turf, Starstruck Notion looks to come back for another try. A 4-year-old son of Great Notion, Starstruck Notion has total career earnings of $262,069 and has won two in five starts in 2024. He is among 17 pre-entries for this year's edition of the 1 1/8-mile contest.

Smith Farm & Stable's Precious Avary, winner of last year's $125,000 Ladies, is one of 21 pre-entered this year. The New Jersey-bred will try to become the sixth to win multiple editions of the Ladies, joining Countus In (1989-91), Mz. Zill Bear (1993-95), Hail Hillary (2003-04), Monster Sleeping (2013-15) and My Sistersledge (2017-18).

The $100,000 Sprint, going six furlongs on dirt, has 23 pre-entered. Aiming for a title defense is Seven's Eleven. Campaigned by Steven Reed, this son of Bandbox has seven victories in 19 starts with total career earnings of $109,850

A total of 27 fillies are pre-entered in the $100,000 Lassie, while the $100,000 Nursery has 25 pre-entries.

Maryland Million Day action is rounded out by four starter races: the Turf Distaff Starter Handicap (21 pre-entries) and the Turf Starter Handicap (18 pre-entries), each worth $50,000, and the Starter Handicap (24 pre-entries) and Distaff Starter Handicap (24 pre-entries), worth $40,000 apiece. Bad Temper returns to try to repeat in the Distaff Starter.

A complete list of pre-entries for each race is available here.