Maryland Million’s Big Day at Laurel Park Sparks Optimism for Future; Ben’s Cat, King Leatherbury Rebounding from ‘Agony of Defeat’
Maryland Million’s Big Day at Laurel Park Sparks Optimism for Future; Ben’s Cat, King Leatherbury Rebounding from ‘Agony of Defeat’
Ben’s Cat, King Leatherbury Rebounding from ‘Agony of Defeat’
LAUREL, MD – The 30th anniversary of the Jim McKay Maryland Million was celebrated at Laurel Park Saturday with heated stakes competition on the racetrack, significant wagering increases at the mutuel windows and an enthusiastic assemblage of fans enjoying the features of an extensively renovated facility.
Jim Steele, President of the Maryland Million, was particularly pleased with the festive atmosphere surrounding the $1 million-plus 11-race card, as well as the sharp increases in handle and attendance.
“This was our 30th Maryland Million. We wanted it to be a big day. It was a big day. I think it’s something to build on in the future,” Steele said Sunday morning. “I think people were very impressed with the improvements at Laurel. The people I saw were upbeat and having a good time.”
Steele expressed optimism for the future of Maryland’s breeding and racing industries, fueled by a new spirit of cooperation.
“The horsemen are starting to trust and work with the track, and the track is trusting and working with the horsemen. I think you have to have that in order to make it go. It allows people to be a little upbeat that things really are happening and, yes, we really are making improvements. It’s not just lip service,” Steele said. “We’re putting our money where we’re our mouth is. All that excitement is also going to the fan base, too.”
The Maryland Million program, reserved for horses sired by accredited stallions standing in Maryland, generated a handle of $3.778 million, signifying a 37-percent increase over the 2014 handle of $2.8 million. The crowd of 19,119 marked a 1,000-plus increase over last year’s attendance.
The Maryland Million offered some thrilling finishes, including Admirals War Chest’s narrow front-running win over late-charging Bullheaded Boy in the $150,000 Classic; Phlash Phelps’ game triumph in the $125,000 Turf over two-time Turf winner Roadhog; and Jack’s in the Deck’s nose triumph over venerable Ben’s Cat in the $100,000 Sprint.
“It takes the horsemen, the track, the breeders, the fans – all of us have to be on the same page. For so long we were spiraling down, and now we’re starting to spiral up,” Steele said. “People at the track saw the improvements. There was enthusiasm. You don’t want to go to a football stadium and play before 5000 fans in an empty stadium. You want it to be full and a happening place, and that’s what it was like [Saturday].”
Ben’s Cat, King Leatherbury Rebounding from ‘Agony of Defeat’
Sunday morning breeder/owner/trainer King Leatherbury aptly described the disappointment he felt when Maryland’s living legend Ben’s Cat lost his stretch-long battle with Jack’s in the Deck in the Sprint.
“The agony of defeat, Jim McKay said it best,” said Leatherbury, recalling the words of the late ABC’s Wide World of Sports host and Maryland Million co-founder. “He certainly ran a nice race. He didn’t have any excuses.”
Although Ben’s Cat’s quest for a fourth Maryland Million victory and 31st overall win was thwarted by the Grade 2 winner Jack’s in the Deck, the 9-year-old gelding came out of his 52nd lifetime start in good order.
“He seems to be fine,” Leatherbury said. “He’s very bright this morning.”
Ben’s Cat will be pointed to the $200,000 Fabulous Strike at Penn National on Nov. 25. The son of Parker’s Storm Cat has won the six-furlong stakes on dirt the past three years.
“Every year I’ve won it,” Leatherbury said. “That’s the only thing left, basically.”
