Jim McKay Maryland Million Extravaganza on Saturday
LAUREL, MD—Trainer Jamie Ness entered Friday with 246 victories this year, second in the nation behind Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. He won two more races this afternoon at Laurel Park, including the featured eighth race, a $62,500 optional claimer for juvenile fillies at one mile.
Silver Strings dominated the group under Mychel Sanchez, but it wasn’t the margin of victory (9 ½ lengths) or the fact that the gray filly was stepping up sharply in class in her first start of the claim.
Instead, it was the winning mutuel payout.
Silver Springs returned $64.40 as the longest shot on the tote board, the highest-priced winner saddled by Ness this year, well ahead of Biz Whiz’s 14-1 score at Delaware Park on the Fourth of July.
Silver Strings, a $29,000 yearling buyback, was bred in Maryland by Dark Hollow Farm and Hillwood Stable. By first-crop stallion Nashville out of Silver Sides (by Bandbox), Silver Strings began her career over the summer at Colonial Downs with trainer Brittany Russell, finishing off the board in two starts against maiden special weight company.
Russell then shipped Silver Strings to Laurel, dropped her into a maiden claiming race, and the lightbulb went on. She rated off the pace under Sanchez, then drew away to win by 12 ½ lengths.
Ness wasn’t about to let Silver Strings get away, however. He filled out a claim slip for his Jagger Inc. stable and, in partnership with Morris Kernan Jr., claimed the filly for $30,000.
Friday’s race marked a significant step up in class, but Sanchez felt confident going into the paddock. “She came out of a very impressive race last time, and I had the opportunity to work her for the first time in the morning for Jamie. I told him that I thought we deserved a shot to step it up because she came out of the race unbelievable. [It was a] great work,” Sanchez said.
Silver Strings took no prisoners from the start. She immediately grabbed the early lead and set honest fractions of 23.87 and 46.98 seconds, prompted by favored Hidden Rhythm.
Silver Strings shook off that foe after a six-furlong clocking of 1:12.98 and wasn’t threatened thereafter, streaking to the wire in 1:38.31 over the fast track.
I’m With Her finished half a length ahead of Hidden Rhythm. U Better Kiss Me rallied mildly to fourth, with Witchy Vibes, Urgent Claire, and My Hometown Gal following. Souper Athlete was eased. Marblehead scratched.
“Super easy,” Sanchez said. “I felt we put in some honest pace, too. I expected to be on the lead because I came from shorter races, but I was confident all the way.”
Silver Strings has earned $60,085 in purse money. Sanchez believes the best may be yet to come.
“[She has a] great mind,” he said. “She does everything I want her to do, and she does everything smooth. I think we might have an okay horse here.”
*Around the track:
Live racing resumes Saturday for “Maryland’s Day at the Races,” the Jim McKay Maryland Million. Gates open at 10 am ET, the special first post time is 11:15 AM ET, and two “Value Pick 5” wagers feature a LOW 12% takeout. The program features eight stakes races. For race advances, visit 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 standing in the state and honors its rich, 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.
The free “Laurel Park Handicapping Guide” is available on every race day. It features picks, analysis, trainer stats, trip notes, horses to watch, track bias information, and more from The Maryland Jockey Club’s handicapping team. The Saturday guide is available. Click here to view it.
Never miss a second of the action on the Laurel Park YouTube channel. Click here to watch full pan and head-on replays.
Watch “Today at the Races,” the Maryland Jockey Club’s morning handicapping show, tomorrow morning at 10 AM ET on the Maryland Jockey Club’s X account. Click here to watch.