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Happy Maryland Million day!  

Race 1: MdMillion Md-Bred Str Handicap $60k F&M 1 & 1/8^thM Turf

1^st: #12 Jumpstartmyheart, two in a row including at today’s distance. Love the improvement in the Beyer with the increased class, won the last at 27-1 and you know the race was live as the second place finisher came back to win immediately. Love her here.

2^nd: #5 Honest Ginger, closed it out at 1m70, perhaps added distance in her best interest.

3^rd: #10 Shifra Magician, willing to play against this favorite who is only 5 for 29 locally although had a decent summer.

Race 2: MdMillion Nursery Stakes $100k 2 Year Olds 6F

1^st: #8 Tommy Shelby

2^nd: #1 So Street

3^rd: #5 Imagine Winning

6-9-10

Race 3: MdMillion Distaff Handicap $100k F&M 7F

1^st: #1 Anna’s Bandit, no matter how many times I tried to, I couldn’t get away from the favorite. She’s the classiest and I believe the pace scenario sets up well for her. Her distance and everything.

2^nd: #5 She’s Achance Too, can’t blame you if you take a shot with this one. But she’s going to be bet considerably also, won’t give you a price you’d want.

3^rd: #2 Cee Bee Gee Bee, overlook Kelly Rubley firsters at your own peril. 

Race 4: MdMillion Turf Str Handicap $60k 1 & 1/8^thM Turf

1^st: #4 Son of Aponi

2^nd: #1 Martini Kid

3^rd: #7 Here’s to Mike

Race 5: MdMillion Str Handicap $50k 7F

1^st: #4 Worth His Salt, should challenge for lead, probably has highest class in the field and has shown ability to stalk or duel and still win.

2^nd: #10 Rol Again Question, needs the lead, will be challenged and therefore don’t think he’ll last.

3^rd: #8 Crush It, 2 for 2 at the distance. Gets Vargas.

Race 6: MdMillion Ladies $125k F&M 1 & 1/8^thM Turf

1^st: #6 Ghoul’s Night Out, notice the improvement since getting back on the grass, she was closer than My Sistersledge in the last and came running, probably would’ve won given another half furlong to run at 21-1.

2^nd: #1 My Sistersledge, will be shuffled back early breaking from the rail and that’s just not going to be the place to be on a firm turf course. She’ll probably come running but I think the 6 will have a jump on her.

3^rd: #7 I Love You, improving 3 year old getting on the turf for just the second time and this time going two turns. First turf event was really strong and you can see further improvement with more ground. Interesting choice.

Race 7: MdMillion Lassie $100k 2 Year Olds 6F

1^st: #3 Stickingtogether, such a mixed up group, this one owns the highest Beyer in the field, gets Lasix for the first time after a not great race on a muddy Charles Town track. In retrospect he’s probably lucky he got out of there alive.

2^nd: #12 Hello Beautiful, this one is going to have to use considerably early to get to the front from the 12 post otherwise she’d probably be the pick, Brittany Russell said she’s probably better on dirt than turf.

3^rd: #4 Punk Rock Princess, an improving filly for a good trainer.

Race 8: MdMillion Turf $125k 1M Turf

1^st: #9 Love You Much, has done his best work sprinting especially of late, but I think the added ground will really help him. He loves to run when they turn from home and he likes to be settled into the pack during the middle furlongs. I think he’ll have the best run when they straighten out.

2^nd: #1 Street Copper, replay of the last shows he was extremely rank going into the first turn. The comments in the form say check repeatedly, but it was more extreme than that sounds. Still he settled nicely and came back to win. Tough draw along the rail where he had issues in the last but he has class and can overcome a non-perfect trip.

3^rd: #12 Taxable Goods, class of the field, best Beyers, tough draw far outside, on paper the Find Stakes looks like a real good one but he had a very easy lead of multiple lengths and ran the first half in 49 seconds and got passed, had no business losing with everything going his way. Won’t be as easy today.

Race 9: MdMillion Sprint Handicap $100k 6F

1^st: #7 Call Paul, absolutely the classiest in the race, a multiple graded stakes winner including the G2 Saratoga Special and a G1 placing in the Hopeful last year. He’s done nothing wrong as you can toss the turf try, didn’t get embarrassed when dueling around the Saratoga strip against Shancelot, possibly the best 3 year old sprinter on earth. Showed his class dueling at Del last out and pulling away to win by 3. Probably get 2-1 I’m thinking, very strong field in this one.

2^nd: #2 Taco Supream, peaking at the right time, led the field in the stretch going longer last out eventually yielding to the high quality sprinter Tiz He the One, no shame in that. Set very ambitious fractions and was pressed in doing so. If you’re looking for a price try this one. Will be 4th or 5th betting choice.

3^rd: #6 Laki, simply can’t leave this one out as he hasn’t been off the board in 14 tries at Laurel! 14! Still, I think his best days are slightly behind him and am looking elsewhere.

Of course I’ve left off Lewisfield which may be a mistake. He’s probably the next classiest after Call Paul.

Race 10: MdMillion Classic $150k 1 & 1/8thM

1^st: #4 Clubman, highest Beyers in the field and has been keeping the best company. What’s the excuse for that terrible effort in the last though? Comment “always outrun.”

2^nd: #11 Torch of Truth, don’t love the outside draw but this one definitely appears to have moved forward since joining the Jamie Ness barn (makes you think?). Not 100% sure about the added distance.

3^rd: #7 Forest Fire, two straight state-bred allowance wins at Parx this summer? Not sure how much that’s worth.

Race 11: MdMillion Distaff Str Handicap $50k 7F

1^st: #3 Esterina

2^nd: #7 Hashtag Selfie

3^rd: #8 Yesterdaysplan

Race 12: MdSpWt $40k

1^st: #3 Street Silence

2^nd: #5 Stand my Ground

3^rd: #9 Bayano