Laurel Park to host “Maryland’s Day at the Races,” presented by Brown Advisory, on Saturday, October 24
LAUREL, MD—The 41st edition of the Jim McKay Maryland Million, presented by Brown Advisory and held at Laurel Park on Saturday, October 24, drew 245 pre-entries, including 2025 winners Barbadian Runner, Had to Have Him, Slewperstitus, Onyx Ten, and Whiskeyinthejaro.
Final entries for the Jim McKay Maryland Million, popularly known as “Maryland’s Day at the Races,” will be accepted on Sunday, October 18. A special post-position draw will be held at the Laurel Park Sportsbook that afternoon, beginning at 12 pm ET.
The first post time for Jim McKay Maryland Million Day is 11:15 am ET. Gates at Laurel Park open at 10:00 am. General admission is free.
Maryland-bred horses that are not Maryland Million-eligible may enter a Maryland Million race only if fewer than eight Maryland Million-eligible horses are entered.
Barbadian Runner is the marquee name among 15 pre-entrants in the day’s featured event, the $150,000 Brown Advisory Maryland Million Classic for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles. Owned by AJ Will Win Stables and trained by Henry Walters, Barbadian Runner earned millionaire status by winning his most recent start, the $200,000 Battery Park Stakes at Delaware Park on October 3. He defeated the popular Post Time in last year’s Maryland Million Classic.
Gracie Mae Stables & Great Lake Stable’s Had to Have Him finished third in the 2024 Maryland Million Turf Sprint, but it was his time to shine last year, when he defeated the favored Whenigettoheaven by three-quarters of a length. Both Had to Have Him, trained by John Salzman Jr., and Whenigettoheaven were pre-entered in this year’s $100,000 1/ST Bet Maryland Million Turf Sprint for 3-year-olds and up at 5 ½ furlongs. The race drew 28 pre-entries.
Eric Rizer’s Slewperstitus rallied from off the pace to win last year’s Maryland Million Lassie for 2-year-old fillies. Trained by Robbie Bailes, she’s likely to run in this year’s $100,000 Maryland Million Distaff for fillies and mares at seven furlongs, though she may face stiff competition from reigning winner Onyx Ten. Owned by Frank Sample and trained by Gary Capuano, Onyx Ten also surged late to win the 2025 Distaff. The Distaff drew 17 nominations.
The $125,000 John Deere Maryland Million Turf for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles drew 21 nominations. Among them are owner-trainer Sammy Davis’s Wicked Prankster, the 2022 and 2023 winner. Michael Foster’s Crabs N Beer has competed in the race for the past four years, finishing third in both 2022 and 2024. Keri Brion conditions the 7-year-old Blofeld gelding.
Seventeen fillies and mares are nominated to the $125,000 Andor Farm Maryland Million Ladies at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Smith Farm and Stable’s Precious Avary competed in the previous three editions, winning in 2023 and finishing a close second the following year. Tim Shaw trains the 6-year-old by Divining Rod.
Lewis Family Racing Stable’s Celtic Contender and Rising Sun Racing Stables and Annette Eubanks’ Band Camp, the one-two finishers in 2024, might rematch in the $100,000 Fair Hill Training Center Maryland Million Sprint for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs. Haileysfirstnotion, third in last year’s race, is also among the 26 quality pre-entrants.
Twenty-seven promising juveniles pre-entered the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Maryland Million Nursery for 2-year-olds at six furlongs. Among them are Louis Ulman, Walter Vieser II, and Michael Scheffres’ Walt’s Notion. Trained by Phil Capuano, Walt’s Notion recently won the James F. Lewis III Stakes at Laurel Park.
The $100,000 Glenangus Farm Maryland Million Lassie drew 18 pre-entries, including Eagle Up Stables, London Reid Thoroughbreds, and Non Stop Stable’s Whitten Way, and Charles Blanford and Teresa Haupt’s Olivia’s Legacy.
In addition, four starter handicaps are reserved for Maryland-sired or -bred horses. Farmacy Brewing, The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Willow Oaks Farm, and Maryland Horse Fencing sponsor these races. Whiskeyinthejaro won the 2025 Maryland Million Turf Starter and was pre-entered again.
The Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland Million Ltd. also thank our additional sponsors: Northview Stallion Station, Country Life Farm, Hess Equine Veterinary Services, Urgent Vet Care, and Atlanta Hall Racing.
With three winners on last year’s program, Jevian Toledo surpassed Hall of Famer Edgar Prado to become the winningest jockey in Maryland Million history. Toledo has won 21 Maryland Million races.
John “Jerry” Robb is the leading active trainer in Maryland Million history. His 12 wins leave him three behind all-time leader Dale Capuano.
Pensioned Great Notion, Maryland’s leading sire since 2016, has produced at least one Maryland Million winner for 16 consecutive years. The streak continued in 2025 with Slewperstitus, Big Cuddle, and Slam Notion. Great Notion’s progeny have won 25 Maryland Million races. He ranks second all-time behind Maryland Million leading sire Not For Love (38).
The Jim McKay Maryland Million isn’t just about thrilling racing action. A week of festivities builds up to the big event.
On Sunday, October 18, from 12 pm to 1 pm, the Maryland Million Draw Party will be held at the Laurel Park Sportsbook. The event is free and open to the public. Watch the post-position draw, enjoy entertainment and snacks, and then stay for live racing.
Join us at Jimmy’s Seafood in Dundalk on Thursday, October 22, from 7 pm to 9 pm for a free Handicapping Party. Hosted by ESPN Louisville and the Horse Racing Happy Hour Podcast, the event will feature handicapping analysts sharing their picks for the twelve races.
The excitement continues on Friday, October 23, from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm at the Jim McKay Maryland Million Kickoff Celebration at Citron Restaurant. Tickets are $83 each. Enjoy live music, great food, and plenty of opportunities to mingle. Tickets can be purchased here.
The Jim McKay Maryland Million is also about fun for the whole family. Meet and greet the Maryland Miniature Ponies at Horseland, watch exciting pony races featuring the next generation of Maryland jockeys, visit our face painters, and enjoy plenty of hands-on crafts and games.
Take part in the Maryland Million Handicapping Challenge, a one-day contest available both on-site and online. The event is held at Laurel Park or on Xpressbet, TVG/4NJBETS, HPIBET, and TwinSpires. The $800 buy-in includes a $400 entry fee and a $400 live bankroll. Cash prizes will be awarded, along with two seats to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge and two NHC Prize Packs. With 120 entries, the total prize pool is $48,000. For registration and rules, visit here.
Named for the late Hall of Fame broadcaster and 13-time Emmy Award winner who launched the groundbreaking concept in 1986, the Jim McKay Maryland Million has become the state’s second-largest day on the racing calendar, behind only the Preakness Stakes card.
“Maryland’s Day at the Races” celebrates the stallions that stand in the state and honors its rich and diverse racing history, dating back to the founding of the Maryland Jockey Club in 1743 and spawning copycat events across the United States and Canada.
For more information on Jim McKay Maryland Million activities and the event schedule, visit here.