LAUREL, MD. 10-17-14---Introduced in 1986, the Jim McKay Maryland Million, a program of races restricted to the offspring of Maryland-based stallions, continues to receive strong support from Maryland's extensive breeding industry. Maryland-sired Thoroughbreds are nominated before they become 2-year-olds and remain eligible for life to run in the Maryland Million races.

After twenty-eight runnings, 222 stallions have sired runners in Maryland Million races. Saturday afternoon, twenty-six stallions will be represented in the nine stakes races at Laurel Park, including a pair of two stallions: Bullsbay and Street Magician.

Not For Love, who stands at Northview Stallion Station, leads all stallions with 16 potential runners tomorrow afternoon. Progeny of Not For Love have captured 28 Maryland Million races in the last 11 years from 192 starters, including four victories in 2009 and 2011. His sons and daughters could be competing in all nine stakes races.

Others with at least five entries are Lion Hearted (eight), Scipion (six), Dance With Ravens (five),

Great Notion (five), Louis Quatorze (five) and Rock Slide (five).

Introduced in 1986, the Maryland Million, a program of races restricted to the offspring of Maryland-based stallions, has been duplicated by more than 20 other states.

Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim McKay originally proposed the concept and remained Chairman of the Board until his death six years ago. Twenty-two times attendance figures have topped 20,000 for the event.

The first 4,000 full-paid admissions and Maryland-licensed owners and trainers will each receive a free Maryland Million Sport Cap. On-track entertainment between races will include two pony races, Special Olympics Maryland, Suttler Clydesdales, Goshen Foxhounds, Side Saddle Ladies, and Roman and Trick Riding by Rachel Jackson.

HRTV will have a live presence for the entire card with hosts Dick Jerardi and Caton Bredar on site.

SEVENTY-ONE TRAINERS ENTER RUNNERS

Seventy-one conditioners entered horses Saturday at Laurel Park, including 23 with multiple starters.

Robin Graham will saddle runners in five different races. The 58-year-old has four Maryland Million victories during her career: Trump Mahal (1996 Turf), Vaguely Rich (1999 Ladies), Gin Talking (2000 Oaks) and Richetta (2003 Lassie).

“I love Maryland Million day,” Graham said. “Winning a race in New York is a big deal but winning here on Saturday is great because we get to do this in front of our friends.”

King Leatherbury and Dale Capuano sit atop the Maryland Million trainer standings with 10 victories each. Both have runners tomorrow.

“We have had good luck on Maryland Million day throughout the years,” Capuano said. “It is a big day and we always want to go out there and have something to run that is good enough to win.”

First post for the 11-race program is 12:15 p.m. at Laurel Park.

MCCARTHY POISED FOR BIG AFTERNOON

Maryland Jockey Club clerk of scales Frankie Saumell will have 38 riders in the jocks room Saturday.

Trevor McCarthy, the leading rider at the current fall meeting, tops all riders with 10 mounts. The 20-year-old will ride two morning line favorites, Avarice (2-1, Sprint) and Classy Coco (9-5, Distaff) as well as four live runners, Bullheaded Boy (9-5, Nursery), Monster Sleeping (5-2, Ladies), Rockin Jojo (4-1, Lassie) and Wild for Love (5-1, Distaff Starter).

“I am really excited. I do like a lot of my horses. It should be a fun day,” said McCarthy, who had three in the money finishes last year in his initial Maryland Million card. “I am really glad Ben’s Cat didn’t go into the Sprint. I think we are the horse to beat. I also really think the Pletcher horse (Bullheaded Boy) will be tough. Monster Sleeping is going to be really good stretching out. We just needed a little more distance in the Jameela (Stakes) where we got beat a neck going 6-furlongs. Another few strides and we could have won that race.”

Horacio Karamanos also has 10 riding assignments. Karamanos and Julian Pimentel (five mounts) have each ridden eight Maryland Million winners.

Forest Boyce has the call in seven races, including 3-5 favorite Eighttofasttocatch in the Classic.

Five other riders have six mounts: Victor Carrasco, Daniel Centeno, Xavier Perez, Angel Serpa and Jevian Toledo.

Ramon Dominguez holds the single year mark with five Maryland Million victories in 2005 and leads all riders with 17 winners, one more than Mario Pino and Edgar Prado.

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.