DESPITE FIVE INCHES OF RAIN JIM MCKAY MARYLAND MILLION DAY WILL FEATURE TURF RACING
LAUREL, MD. 10-01-10---This week 5.1 inches of rain was recorded at Laurel Park but Saturday’s Jim McKay Maryland Million Day will feature turf racing. Three of the 11 races on the card will be on the grass: $100,000 Turf Sprint (race 5), the $100,000 Turf (race 7) and the $100,00 Ladies (race 9). The forecast for Saturday is for dry conditions with temperatures near 70 degrees.
The decision was made after racing secretary Georganne Hale and turf superintendent Robbie Mitten walked the course early Friday afternoon. In 2005, the Laurel surface was widened from 75 feet to 142 feet and accommodates six configurations.
“We walked both lanes that will be used tomorrow,” Hale said. “The All Along is perfect because we have not used it since the summer meet in August. The Exceller is in good shape and with the sun and wind today, it will only improve. The jocks might see a divot here and there but it is nice and solid on the bottom and not dangerous to the horses or the riders.”
Thirty-five races have been contested on the Laurel turf during the fall meeting with an average win payout of $21.20.
THIRTY-FIVE STALLIONS WILL BE REPRESENTED SATURDAY
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, which includes more than 200 farms.
Maryland-sired Thoroughbreds are nominated before they become 2-year-olds and remain eligible for life to run in the Maryland Million races. After 24 runnings, 210 stallions have sired runners in Maryland Million races. Saturday afternoon, thirty-five stallions will be represented.
Not For Love leads all stallions with 20 potential runners tomorrow afternoon. The son of Mr. Prospector, who stands at Northview Stallion Station, is Maryland’s highest ranking stallion for the eighth consecutive year. Progeny of Not For Love have captured 20 Maryland Million races in the last eight years, including four in 2009. His sons and daughters could be competing in all 11 races Saturday.
The ghost of Allen’s Prospect, who passed away in 2003, continues to leave its mark. The standard bearer of Country Life Farm, he has been responsible for 156 starters and 22 winners, the most of any stallion during the previous runnings of the Million. All Giving, who won last year’s Distaff, is his lone representative in 2010.
First post for the 11-race program is 12:35 p.m. at Laurel Park.
CAPUANO COULD MOVE INTO TRAINER TOP SPOT
Dale Capuano is hoping to move ahead of Bill Boniface for most victories on “Maryland’s Day At The Races”. Capuano tied Boniface with eight victories when Due upset the field in the 2006 Classic. The 47-year-old conditioner has two chances this year with Heros Reward (Turf Sprint) and Northpoint Costas (Classic).
King Leatherbury, Graham Motion, Tony Dutrow and Tim Ritchey begin the day tied for third place, one win back. Only Leatherbury, with Ben’s Cat, the 9-5 morning line favorite in the Turf Sprint, has a starter this year.
“I got such a good start when they started,” said the 77-year-old conditioner who ranks third all-time with 6,303 winners. “But I never caught Boniface and I’ve gone like 12 years (actually nine-Blazing Colors in 2001) without winning. I’m long overdue.”
Sixty-nine conditioners will saddle horses Saturday at Laurel Park, including 20 with multiple starters.
“Maryland Million means everything and hopefully it will be around here for another 25 years,” said Tim Keefe, who will saddle Celtic Innis (Sprint), Kosmo’s Buddy (Turf Sprint) and Eighttofasttocatch (Turf). “This year I’ve got Arnold Heft, who has never owned a Maryland Million horse before Eighttofasttocatch. I went to the sale last year and bought a Maryland-bred broodmare. I love Maryland and want to stay.”
ELVIS TRUJILLO ROCKS INTO LAUREL WITH LIVE MOUNTS
Monmouth Park-based rider Elvis Trujillo will be busy Saturday with mounts in nine of the 11 races. The 26-year-old will be aboard morning line favorites in the Sprint (Roaring Lion), Distaff (Love That Dance), Oaks (Lil Kiara) and Starter Handicap (Northpoint Costas), though the latter is expected to compete in the Classic. Trujillo also has live shots in the Classic (Cuba), Ladies (Talkin About Love) and Turf Sprint (Heros Reward). Trujillo finished second with Presidentialaffair in the 2003 Classic, losing by a nose to Docent.
Travis Dunkelberger has eight mounts, including a pair of morning line choices for trainer Gary Capuano: Steady Warrior (Nursery) and Silver Heart (Distaff Starter Handicap).
Eric Camacho is also aboard a pair of morning line favorites for trainer Rodney Jenkins: Day Flight (Turf) and Love’s Blush (Ladies).
Others with full afternoons will be Julian Pimentel (eight mounts), Sheldon Russell and Forest Boyce (seven each).
Maryland Jockey Club clerk of scales Adam Campola will have 32 riders in the jocks room.
-mjc-
Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club
410-578-4461 (Pimlico)
301-470-5461 (Laurel Park)
240-876-7403 (Mobile)
This e-mail, and any documents or data attached hereto, is intended for the intended recipients only. It may contain confidential and/or privileged information and no rights have been waived by the sender. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby NOTIFIED that any dissemination, distribution, retention, archiving or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify me at the telephone number shown above or by return mail and delete this communication and any copy immediately. MID provides no assurances that this e-mail and its attachments are virus free; you are responsible for scanning all e-mails and attachments for viruses. MID disclaims all liability for damages caused by any virus which may be transmitted by this email. Thank you.
