Maryland Million Distaff Handicap
Maryland Million Distaff Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in October since 1986 primarily at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland or at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. To be eligible for the Maryland Million Distaff Handicap, a filly or mare must be sired by a stallion who stands in Maryland. Due to that restriction the race is classified as a non-graded or "listed" stakes race and is not eligible for grading by the American Graded Stakes Committee.
| Restricted State-bred Stakes race | |
| Location | Laurel Park Racecourse  Laurel, Maryland, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1986 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | (7 furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds and up |
| Purse | $102,000 |
The race is part of Maryland Million Day, a 12-race program held in mid October that was the creation of renowned television sports journalist Jim McKay. The "Maryland Million" is the first State-Bred showcase event ever created. Since 1986, 27 other events in 20 states have imitated the showcase and its structure.[1]
From its inception in 1986 through 1992, 2001, 2002 and 2004 the race was run on dirt at a distance of six furlongs. Since 2004 it has been a 7 furlongs competition and currently offers a purse of $150,000.
In its 30th running in 2015, the race is restricted to those horses who were sired by a stallion who stands in the state of Maryland. Both the entrant horse and their stallion must be nominated to the Maryland Million program.
The race itself has had many titles since 1986 due in large part to the aggressive marketing efforts of Maryland Million Limited, the series corporate founder. The race has been called many things starting from 1986 through 1988 and 1990 through 1992 it was known as the "State of Maryland Distaff Handicap." From 1993 through 1995 the race was called the "Port of Baltimore Distaff Handicap," from 1996 through 2001 the race was known as the "Maryland Department of Transportation Distaff Handicap." In 2002 the race was called the "Susquehanna Bank Disstaff Handicap," in 2006 it was known as the "Baltimore Examiner Distaff Handicap" and in 2007 the race was called the "Toyota Tundra Distaff Handicap."
Records
Most wins horse:
- 3 - Safely Kept (1989, 1990, 1991)
Speed record:
- 7 furlongs: 1:22.73 - Willa On the Move (2003)
- 6 furlongs: 1:10.00 - Safely Kept (1989)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 - Jayeff B Stable
Most wins by a jockey:
- 3 - Mario Pino
Most wins by a trainer:
- 3 - Alan E. Goldberg
Winners of the Maryland Million Distaff Handicap since 1986
| Yr |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Dist. |
Time |
Purse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | - | 7 fur. | 0:00.00 | $100,000 | ||||
| 2019 | Anna's Bandit | 5 | Xavier Perez | John J. Robb | No Guts No Glory Farm | 7 fur. | 1:23.03 | $100,000 |
| 2018 | Crabcakes | 4 | Forest Boyce | T. Bernard Houghton | Morgan's Ford Farm | 7 fur. | 1:22.85 | $100,000 |
| 2017 | Crabcakes | 3 | Forest Boyce | T. Bernard Houghton | Morgan's Ford Farm | 7 fur. | 1:23.03 | $100,000 |
| 2016 | Rockin JoJo | 4 | Angel Cruz | Guadalupe Preciado | Michael R. Cox | 7 fur. | 1:25.06 | $100,000 |
| 2015 | Lionhearted Lady | 4 | Xavier Perez | Hamilton A. Smith | JoAnn Smith | 7 fur. | 1:24.31 | $100,000 |
| 2014 | Classy Coco | 4 | Trevor McCarthy | Bernie Houghton | Michael R. Cox | 7 fur. | 1:23.93 | $100,000 |
| 2013 | Maddy's Dance | 3 | Daniel Centeno | John Rigattieri | Dennis J. Federico | 7 fur. | 1:23.65 | $100,000 |
| 2012 | Bold Affair | 4 | Abel Castellano | Harry Wolfendale | Mike Zanella | 7 fur. | 1:24.52 | $100,000 |
| 2011 | Love That Dance | 5 | Pablo Fragoso | Benjamin Perkins | John Petrini | 7 fur. | 1:24.51 | $100,000 |
| 2010 | Blind Date | 4 | Sheldon Russell | Hamilton A. Smith | William Backer | 7 fur. | 1:28.82 | $100,000 |
| 2009 | All Giving | 5 | Jonathan Joyce | Flint W. Stites | Concepts Unlim.Stable | 7 fur. | 1:23.34 | $100,000 |
| 2008 | Spectacular Malibu | 4 | Julian Pimentel | Michael J. Trombetta | Country LIfe Farm | 7 fur. | 1:23.56 | $150,000 |
| 2007 | Akronism | 3 | Anthony Black | Timothy F. Ritchey | Robert S. Evans | 7 fur. | 1:24.00 | $150,000 |
| 2006 | Silmaril | 5 | Ryan Fogelsonger | Christopher Grove | Stephen E. Quick | 7 fur. | 1:23.00 | $150,000 |
| 2005 | Valley of the Gods | 5 | Harry Vega | Keith W. LeBarron | David O'Neill | 7 fur. | 1:25.34 | $150,000 |
| 2004 | Merryland Missy | 4 | Stewart Elliott | Timothy F. Ritchey | Country Life Farm | 6 fur. | 1:10.60 | $100,000 |
| 2003 | Willa On the Move | 4 | Mario Pino | Anthony W. Dutrow | Marathon Farms, Inc. | 7 fur. | 1:22.73 | $100,000 |
| 2002 | Blinded by Love | 4 | Richard Migliore | Ben W. Perkins, Jr. | New Farm | 6 fur. | 1:11.28 | $100,000 |
| 2001 | Case of the Blues | 4 | Mario Pino | Anthony W. Dutrow | Skeedattle II | 6 fur. | 1:11.54 | $100,000 |
| 2000 | Tropical Punch | 4 | Heberto Castillo, Jr. | James A. Jerkens | Susan & John Moore | 7 fur. | 1:23.46 | $100,000 |
| 1999 | Flippy Diane | 5 | Diane Nelson | Leah Gyarmati | Castle Village Farm | 7 fur. | 1:23.80 | $100,000 |
| 1998 | Weather Vane | 4 | Mario Pino | Richard W. Delp | Par Four Rac.Stables | 7 fur. | 1:23.20 | $100,000 |
| 1997 | Secret Prospect | 4 | Mark Johnston | John J. Tammaro III | Conover Stable | 7 fur. | 1:24.60 | $100,000 |
| 1996 | Heavenly Punch | 4 | Edgar S. Prado | Sid C. Attard | C. Stable & R. Harvey | 7 fur. | 1:23.00 | $100,000 |
| 1995 | Churchbell Chimes | 4 | Alberto Delgado | J. William Boniface | Susan Granville | 7 fur. | 1:24.00 | $100,000 |
| 1994 | Alcovy | 4 | Scott Edward Miller | William G. Huffman | L. Riley Magnum | 7 fur. | 1:23.60 | $100,000 |
| 1993 | Star Minister | 4 | Andrea Seefeldt | Richard W. Small | Robert Meyerhoff | 7 fur. | 1:24.20 | $100,000 |
| 1992 | Brilliant Brass | 5 | Edgar S. Prado | Carlos A. Garcia | Elaine L. Bassford | 6 fur. | 1:11.60 | $100,000 |
| 1991 | Safely Kept | 5 | Gary Stevens | Alan E. Goldberg | Jayeff B Stable | 6 fur. | 1:11.00 | $100,000 |
| 1990 | Safely Kept | 4 | Julie Krone | Alan E. Goldberg | Jayeff B Stable | 6 fur. | 1:11.00 | $100,000 |
| 1989 | Safely Kept | 3 | Craig Perret | Alan E. Goldberg | Barry Weisbord | 6 fur. | 1:10.00 | $100,000 |
| 1988 | Dark Tzarina | 5 | M. J. Conner | H. Kirk Steen, Jr. | Cerulean Farm | 6 fur. | 1:10.80 | $100,000 |
| 1987 | Ms. Rutledge | 3 | Kent Desormeaux | King T. Leatherbury | Herman Greenberg | 6 fur. | 1:11.20 | $100,000 |
| 1986 | Capp It Off | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Gregory L. Wilson | Oliver Goldsmith | 6 fur. | 1:11.80 | $100,000 |
See also
- Maryland Million Distaff Handicap top three finishers
- Maryland Million Day
- Laurel Park Racecourse
References
- Maryland Million 2008, October 4, Laurel Park, Official Souvenir Guide for 23rd Running, page 4 and 5.