- Maryland Million Distaff Handicap
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Restricted State-bred Stakes race Maryland Million Distaff Handicap Location Laurel Park Racecourse 
Laurel, Maryland, United StatesInaugurated 1986 Race type Thoroughbred - Flat racing Website Marylandthoroughbred.com Race information Distance (7 furlongs) Track Dirt, left-handed Qualification Three-year-olds and up Purse $150,000 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.
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 imitaded the showcase and it's 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 24th running in 2009, 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 Baltimor 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."
Contents
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
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse 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 Unlimited 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 Racing 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 CC. Stable and Robert 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 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 L. 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
References
- ^ Maryland Million 2008, October 4, Laurel Park, Official Souvenir Guide for 23rd Running, page 4 and 5.
Categories:- Horse races in Maryland
- Recurring events established in 1986
- Laurel Park Racecourse
- Recurring sporting events established in 1986
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