The $150,000 Maryland Million Classic, centerpiece of Saturday’s 40th Maryland Million program at Laurel Park, brings together a compelling mix of proven stars and rising talents.

At the head of the field stands Post Time, the reigning Maryland-bred champion and last year’s Top Midlantic-bred, who unexpectedly drew into the race after a couple of late scratches of Maryland-sired horses. Meanwhile, Barbadian Runner and Blue Kingdom represent ambitious challengers ready to test their limits.

Post Time, trained by Brittany Russell for Hillwood Stable LLC, needs no introduction. The five-year-old son of Frosted has won 12 of 21 starts and earned nearly $1.5 million, and he’s 10-for-10 at Laurel.

His campaign this year has included three facile wins over his home track, including a 17-length win in the Polynesian Stakes at Laurel in September.

“It’s home,” Russell said. “He’s good here. We’re running him back in two weeks. Hopefully, he responds to that. It’s a little bit of a tricky situation for us, but he’s a good horse, and I think he’ll show up regardless.”

If Post Time is the benchmark, Barbadian Runner might one who could make him work for it. Trained by Henry Walters and ridden by Forest Boyce, the three-year-old Barbados gelding has been a revelation in 2025, with four wins and three seconds from nine starts, including victories in the Spectacular Bid and Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes.

Walters said he’s hoping for “the regular kind of race where he just settles, you know, let him run into the pace, hopefully it slows down.”

The problem?

“That’s going to be the same tactics Post Time’s going to have, right? So, yeah, it just depends. If it’s a slower pace, sure he’ll be a little bit closer.”

Walters added that he’s happy to have Boyce in the irons.

“I know she’s won quite a few [Maryland Million races], so she knows what she’s doing,” he said. “No major concerns. I guess [Barbadian Runner] just has to do it. He just has to prove it. Never going to know unless he tried. You know, it’s not necessarily written in his pedigree [to go nine furlongs], but I think he’s already outside the lines as far as his pedigree. As an individual, he’s answered every call so far. He never gives up.”

Then there’s the speedy Blue Kingdom, who will take a major leap in class for trainer Jamie Ness after reeling off three straight wins, including a dominant last-out score at Delaware Park.

“We’re going to run Blue Kingdom,” Ness said. “He’s just been nothing but good for us. You know, obviously this is a very large step up to take on, unfortunately, Post Time, but we’re gonna take a shot.”

The gray gelding by First Mondays has shown front-end speed and determination—qualities that could make him dangerous if he’s left alone early.

The Classic is the 11^th on a 12-race program Saturday with a first post of 11:30 a.m.