LAUREL, MD. 10-06-12---Bred, owned and trained by Edwin Merryman,  Jazzy Idea beat odds-on favorite Spring Dance and six other 3-year-old fillies in the $100,000 Jim McKay Maryland Million Oaks at Laurel Park.

Elvis Trujillo was at the controls as the daughter of Great Notion tracked Spring Dance into the stretch before powering by to a 6-3/4 length victory. Ok Listen Up finished a distant third.

“She gave me an honest trip today,” said Trujillo. “They battled and everything was good. I was hoping to be coming from behind like before (Crank It Up Stakes, Monmouth Park). The spot opened behind the seven (Spring Dance) and I said, ‘follow them’ and the door opened. It worked great. She’s very nice.”

Jazzy Idea, winner of Thirty Flags at Belmont Park and Crank It Up Stakes at Monmouth Park earlier this year, ran the mile distance in 1:39.64 and paid $5.20. She also set a turf track record in winning the Jameela Stakes at Laurel Park on opening day of the fall meeting.

“She was going against a little different place than she’s used to running against so I figured she’d be laying close,” said Merryman. “I think Elvis did a beautiful job of sitting and waiting after the horse placed herself. This is a pretty versatile filly. Maybe will go to one mile on the turf next year. I broke her and she’s nice to ride. She’s gotten to be a princess.  She’s knows she’s pretty special.”

Merryman joins his sisters Katy Voss and Ann Merryman with victories on Maryland Million Day. Younger sibling Lizzy Merryman will saddle Roadhog in the Turf later on the card.
 

About Laurel Park

Laurel Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America's premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.