Maryland Million Day

Jim McKay Maryland Million Day
State Championship Event Series race
Location	Laurel Park Racecourse Laurel, Maryland, United States
Inaugurated	1986
Race type	Thoroughbred
Website
Race information
Distance	See individual races
Track	Dirt and Turf
Qualification	See individual races
Weight	See individual races
Purse	Varies by Race; Between $25,000 - $100,000

Jim McKay Maryland Million Day is an annual day of stakes races thoroughbred horse races operated by Maryland Million Limited, a company formed in 1985.

The Maryland Million is a one-day stakes program offering purses totaling $1 million, restricted to the nominated progeny of nominated stallions standing in the state. Jim McKay Maryland Million Day ranks as the highest single day in attendance, on-track wagering and simulcast handle for Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland annually. It ranks second in the state to only the Preakness Stakes Day card in all of those same categories and in purse money distributed. It ranks even higher than the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes Day card and the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes Day card (Laurel's signature race). It features 11 stakes races.^[1]

Jim McKay first conceived the idea of a day of races for Maryland-sired runners after attending the first Breeders' Cup in 1984. In September 1985, a nationally attended press conference at Pimlico outlined the details for a 9-race, $1 million program and introduced the 18-member Maryland Million committee. Richard W. Wilcke was named executive director of the Maryland Million. In December 1985, a total of 175 stallions were nominated to the Maryland Million by the first deadline, thus making their foals eligible for the program. Windfields Farm topped all nominators with 16 stallions, lead by Northern Dancer, The Minstrel and the deceased Tentam. Nearly 900 horses of racing age were nominated by the May 15, 1986 deadline, at least 88 of them stakes winners or stakes placed. Another 700 yearlings were also nominated.

20,103 turn out at Laurel Park for the first Maryland Million Day on October 20, 1986. Northern Dancer sired two winners - Classic winner Herat and Turf Winner Glow The first winner of a Maryland Million race is Sam-Son Farm's Canadian-bred Smart Halo. Sired by Windfields Farm's stallion Smarten, she captured the Lassie for 2-year-old fillies.

Governor William Donald Schaefer proclaimed the week leading up to the Maryland Million "Thoroughbred Week in Maryland", September 11-18, 1988.

On April 13, 2009, the Maryland legislature passed a joint resolution to officially rename the event "Jim McKay Maryland Million Day".

The world-famous Waterford Crystal Factory in Ireland produced the unique trophies for Maryland Million Day. The permanent Maryland Million Trophy - a special 14" bowl that includes logos of all the first-year sponsors - is the largest single piece of hand-blown glass made in the company's history.

What races are run on Maryland Million Day?

Although detailed conditions may vary from year to year, the basic Maryland Million Day program consists of eight guaranteed stakes, but starter handicaps and a steeplechase race, both restricted to eligible horses, have also been run.

2, $100,000 races for 2-year-olds, one open and one restricted to fillies, 1, $100,000 race for 3-year-old fillies, 1, $100,000 turf race for 3-year-olds and up, 2, $100,000 sprints for 3-year-olds and up, one open and one restricted to females, 1, $100,000 turf race for fillies and mares, 3 and up, 1, $200,000 race for 3-year-olds and up, 2, $50,000 starter handicaps,

How will purses be distributed?

Purse distribution for Maryland Million Day races shall be as follows: first 55%; second 20%; third 10%; fourth 5%; fifth 3%; and sixth 2%. Ten percent of the day's gross purses will be paid in the form of nominator awards.

What about additional races during the year for eligible horses?

The Maryland Million may run other races throughout the year for eligible horses. Call the Maryland Million office for details.

Are Maryland Million Day races restricted?

Yes, these races are restricted to horses that have been nominated to the Maryland Million program.

Does the horse have to be a registered Maryland-bred?

No. Any horse that was conceived in Maryland and is by a nominated sire is certified for the Maryland Million program. Foals of 2009 must have been nominated by December 31 of their yearling year to be eligible.

How do I know if a horse is eligible to be nominated to the Maryland Million?

If the horse was conceived in Maryland and is by a nominated stallion, the horse is eligible to be nominated.

How are foals nominated?

Beginning in 2009, there is no nomination fee for eligible foals. Fill out the nomination blank and mail to Maryland Million Ltd, P.O. Box 365, Timonium, MD 21094.

Are there foal nominator awards?

Through 2008 foals, an amount equal to 5% of the purse for each race will be paid to the original foal nominators. The nominator awards will be 2% of the purse to first, 1.5% to second, 1% to third and 0.5% to fourth in each race. Foals born in 2009 or later receive no nominator awards.

How are stallions nominated?

Nominations for each breeding season close December 31 of the year preceding that breeding season. Stallions that enter stud in Maryland after the closing date may, at the discretion of Maryland Million Ltd., be permitted to be nominated.

Do stallions have to be nominated every year?

Yes. A stallion must be nominated for each breeding season in order to make his foals conceived in that season eligible for nomination to the Maryland Million program.

Are there stallion nominator awards?

Yes, an amount equal to 5% of the purse for each race will be paid to the stallion nominators. The nominator awards will be 2% of the purse to first, 1.5% to second, 1% to third and 0.5% to fourth in each race.

What if an eligible stallion is not nominated in time?

Unless stallions standing in Maryland are duly nominated for a breeding season, their progeny for that breeding season will not be eligible for nomination to the Maryland Million program.

References

• Maryland Million official website