Maryland Million Day stakes recaps
Keeping up with the big night!
The Biz
October 24, 2026
Today marks the 41st running of the Maryland Million, the granddaddy of state-bred and state-sired days, with plenty of exciting action on tap.
Maryland’s horse, Barbadian Runner, goes for a repeat in the Classic, while fellow millionaire Witty tries for his second Maryland Million Turf Sprint — he won in ’23 — against last year’s champ, Had to Have Him. Takethemoneyhoney tries to come off a long layoff running in the Distaff. And a bevy of two-year-olds try to take the next steps in their development.
We’ll have brief updates on all the action right here.
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MARYLAND MILLION SPRINT
3yo and up, 6 furlongs
Celtic Contender stalked a contested pace, took command entering the stretch and held firm to win Saturday’s $100,000 Maryland Million Sprint by a length at Laurel Park. The 5-year-old Irish War Cry horse bid three deep around the turn, shook clear in upper stretch and turned back Suremeanttoobe’s persistent challenge. Celtic Contender ($5.20) completed six furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.15 after opening fractions of 22.55 and 45.56 seconds. Suremeanttoobe finished 1¼ lengths ahead of third-place Band Camp, while favored Haileysfirstnotion faded to seventh after a wide trip. Celtic Contender also won this event in 2024.
CELTIC CONTENDER
Age/sex: 5-year-old horse
Pedigree: Irish War Cry—Celtic Katie, by Posse
Breeder: Fred T. Lewis, DVM
Owner: Lewis Family Racing Stable
Trainer: Hamilton A. Smith
Jockey: Forest Boyce
Career: 23 starts: 8 wins, 5 seconds, 6 thirds
Earnings: $556,865
Age/sex: 5-year-old horse
Pedigree: Irish War Cry—Celtic Katie, by Posse
Breeder: Fred T. Lewis, DVM
Owner: Lewis Family Racing Stable
Trainer: Hamilton A. Smith
Jockey: Forest Boyce
Career: 23 starts: 8 wins, 5 seconds, 6 thirds
Earnings: $556,865
MARYLAND MILLION LADIES
Fillies and mares 3yo and up, 1 1/16 miles (turf)
MARYLAND MILLION LASSIE
2yo fillies, 6 furlongs
MARYLAND MILLION TURF SPRINT
3yo and up, 5 1/2 furlongs (turf)
MARYLAND MILLION DISTAFF
Fillies and mares 3yo and up, 7 furlongs
MARYLAND MILLION NURSERY
2yo, 6 furlongs
MARYLAND MILLION TURF
3yo and up, 1 1/8 miles (turf)
MARYLAND MILLION CLASSIC
3yo and up, 1 1/8 miles
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