Maryland champions to be feted March 22 * The Racing Biz

Maryland champions to be feted March 22

Renaissance Awards represent the best of Maryland racing, breeding

Press Release
February 18, 2026

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association and Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, in cooperation with the Maryland Jockey Club, have announced the finalists for the 64th annual Maryland-bred champions as well as Maryland stallion, broodmare, and breeder of the year.

Winners will be revealed at the 2025 Maryland Thoroughbred Industry Renaissance Awards luncheon March 22, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. in the Terrace Dining Room at Laurel Park.

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“This event represents the very heart of Maryland racing,” said Katy Voss, president of the MTHA, noting it celebrates both equine excellence and the people behind it.

MHBA president Richie Blue added that the awards spotlight the farms, families, and partnerships responsible for producing Maryland-breds that succeed at the highest levels.

Tickets for the luncheon are $75 per person and may be purchased online at marylandthoroughbred.com.

MHBA Award finalists (alphabetical):

Maryland-bred champion 2-year-old male: Big Cuddle (bred by Two Legends Farm; owned by the Pocket 3’s Racing LLC), Code of Silence (bred by Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Holt and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Palumbo; owned by Mount Peru Farm), Romeo (bred by John C. Davison; owned by Joseph Lloyd).

Maryland-bred champion 2-year-old filly: Dazzling Dame (bred by Maria M. Haire; owned by Respect the Valleys LLC), Just Philtored (bred by ZWP Stable Inc. and Non Stop Stable; owned by Red White and Blue Racing LLC and London Reid Thoroughbreds), Slewperstitus (bred by Eric A. Rizer and Nancy M. Rizer; owned by Eric A. Rizer).

Maryland-bred champion 3-year-old male: Barbadian Runner (bred by Shamrock Farm; owned by AJ Will Win Stables LLC), Passion Rules (bred by Mr. and Mrs. Charles McGinnes; owned by Calumet Farm), Slam Notion (bred by Eric A. Rizer and Nancy M. Rizer; owned by Eric A. Rizer).

Maryland-bred champion 3-year-old filly: Grayson’s Girl (bred by 2500 Determined Stud; owned by John Middleton), Onyx Ten (bred and owned by Frank T. Sample), Worth a Dime (bred and owned by Nancy Lee Farms).

Maryland-bred champion older male: Mindframe (bred by R. Larry Johnson; owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC), Post Time (bred by Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Bowman, Dr. Brooke Bowman and Milton P. Higgins III; owned by Hillwood Stable LLC), Quint’s Brew (bred by Paul W. Berube, Karen Linnell and Spinnaker Hill Farm; owned by Paul W. Berube, Karen Linnell and Heather B. Hunter).

Maryland-bred champion older female: Future Is Now (bred by R. Larry Johnson; owned by the Estate of R. Larry Johnson), Seismic Beauty (bred by 2500 Determined Stud; owned by MyRacehorse and Peter Leidel), Splendora (bred by The Elkstone Group LLC; owned by By Talla Racing LLC).

Maryland-bred champion sprinter: Future Is Now (bred by R. Larry Johnson; owned by the Estate of R. Larry Johnson), Mindframe (bred by R. Larry Johnson; owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC), Splendora (bred by The Elkstone Group LLC; owned by By Talla Racing LLC).

Maryland-bred champion turf runner: Future Is Now (bred by R. Larry Johnson; owned by the Estate of R. Larry Johnson), Had to Have Him (bred by Wes Carter; owned by Gracie Mae Stables and Great Lake Stable), Lifelovenlaughter (bred and owned by The Elkstone Group LLC [Stuart Grant]).

Maryland-bred champion steeplechaser: Keys Discount (bred by Bryan Minnich; owned by Mrs. John R.S. Fisher), Mission North (bred and owned by Northwoods Stable), Road to Oz (bred by R. Larry Johnson; owned by Daniel R. Baker).

Breeder of the Year Finalists: Jagger Inc., R. Larry Johnson

Broodmare of the Year Finalists: Candy Striper, Gansett, Slow and Steady

Stallion of the Year Finalists: Blofeld, Great Notion, Mosler, Uncle Lino