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Maryland Million Day 2008: OCTOBER 4th at Laurel Park

2007 Maryland Million RESULTS

Thank you to our 2007 Maryland Million Day Sponsors:

Maryland Million purse premiums are
Offered for these 2008 PIMLICO STAKES:

(Purse premiums of at least $25,000, for Maryland Million nominees, are included in total guaranteed purse)

Maryland Million Day 2008 marks the 23rd running of an event that has become one of the nation's best known single days of horse racing excitement. Envisioned as a local version of the Breeders Cup,
Maryland Million was so popular with both fans and horsemen that it soon attracted imitators throughout the nation. There are now many such days in different states featuring either state-bred or state-sired horses in festival-like atmospheres.

Mention the Maryland Million in any discussion among racing people around the United States and there is instant recognition. Back home in Maryland, the event has become the biggest racing day of the fall, and is eclipsed in local importance only by the Preakness Stakes, the venerable second leg of the American Triple Crown.

There is, of course, considerable pride in the horse community in the Preakness, but local horse breeders, owners and trainers often attach more value to the Maryland Million because it is the day when they can showcase their best horses in what amounts to an intramural championship competition. Horses are often specifically pointed toward the Maryland Million from the beginning of the year, and some of the best David versus Goliath stories anywhere are played out, often dramatically, during the 12-race Maryland Million program. One-horse stables square off against some of racing's most potent outfits, and the little guy wins often enough to make Maryland tracks fields of dreams on an October Saturday.

Bolstered by additional marketing and promotional funds a few years ago, Maryland Million has developed a fair-like atmosphere that can appeal to an array of spectators, from seasoned racegoers to families whose kids can enjoy the music, the clowns, face painters, caricaturists and other entertainment activities that blend in with the racing activity.

The corporate sponsors who have contributed substantially to the vitality of Maryland Million remain a core part of the day, with more than 1,000 sponsor guests in a hospitality village that highlights the participation of these organizations.

Ultimately, though, Maryland Million Day is all about showcasing the best products of Maryland breeding farms, horses sired by Maryland stallions. It is a day when a unique coalition of partners, breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys, Maryland businesses and racing organizations come together for what is truly Maryland's day at the races.

At the center of it all is one of the state's most meaningful resources--the Maryland Thoroughbred race horse.

Funding the Program

The Maryland Million program is funded through stallion and progeny nomination fees, race entry fees, as well as corporate sponsorship.

A stallion's fee is equal to its stud fee; progeny fees are $250 if before 12/31 of weanling year, $600 if by 12/31 of yearling year, or $1,500 by 7/31 of 2-year-old year.

Eligibility & Fees: Maryland Million runners can and do come from anywhere. But each of them must meet certain specified requirements. To be eligible:

A horse must be sired by a stallion who stands in Maryland.
That stallion must, himself, be nominated to the Maryland Million. (Stallion fee is an amount equal to the stallion's stud fee, and stallions must be renominated every year.)
A horse must be nominated to the Maryland Million. ($250 by December 31 of weanling year. For horses not nominated as weanlings, $600 by December 31 of yearling year, or $1,500 by 7/31 of 2-year-old year. There are NO supplemental nominations.)

Maryland Million: A Model Program the Sincerest Form of Flattery.

When Maryland Million founder Jim McKay predicted, back in 1986, that the Maryland Million would be imitated, his words turned out to be an understatement. Today, other states have special racing days modeled, at least in part, after the Maryland Million.

Following is a chronological list of these events, and the years they were introduced.

1986 — Maryland Million Day
1987 — West Virginia Breeders Classic
1989 — Best of Ohio Series
1990 — Arizona Breeders' Day
1990 — California Cup
1990 — Red Letter Day (Illinois)
1990 — The Lineage (New Mexico)
1991 — Louisiana Champions Day
1991 — Nebraska Breeders' Day
1992 — Festival of the Sun (Florida)
1992 — Minnesota Festival of Champions
1992 — Oregon Day
1993 — Idaho Cup Day
1993 — Iowa Classic
1993 — Oklahoma Classics
1993 — Texas Champions Day
1994 — Kentucky Cup
1994 — New York Showcase
2000 — Michigan Festival of Racing
2001 — Pensylvania Day at the Races
2001 — Stars of Texas Day
2002 — Sunshine Millions
2003 — New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival