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2011 Souvenir Guide
2011 RESULTS
Jim McKay Maryland Million Day 2011 marks the 26th
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,
Maryl and Million was so popular with both fans and horsemen that
it soon attracted imitators throughoutthe 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
2010 Race Results.
Funding the Program
The Maryland Million program is funded through stallion
and, prior to the 2008 breeding season, progeny nomination fees, race entry fees, as well as corporate
sponsorship.
A stallion's fee is equal to its stud fee. Beginning with the 2009 foal crop, foals are automatically certified to run as long as thir sire was nominated to the Maryland Million in the year they were conceived.
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.)
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 — Pennsylvania Day at the Races
2001 — Stars of Texas Day
2002 — Sunshine Millions
2003 — New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival |
