Jevian Toledo got off to a quick start with a win in the second race on Saturday, Maryland Million Day, in the Maryland Million Turf Sprint aboard Had to Have Him. The win was his 19^th in Maryland Million history, surpassing Hall of Famer Edgar Prado. Toledo was not done for the day, however, as he added two more stakes wins during the 40^th edition of Jim McKay Maryland Million Day card that included eight stakes for Maryland-breds and four starter handicap races.

The panel of racing experts voted Toledo Jockey of the Week for October 6-October 12. The weekly honor recognizes jockeys for significant riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys’ Guild. Founded in 1940, the Guild represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.

Toledo began “Maryland’s Day at the Races,” aboard Had to Have Him for trainer John Salzman, Jr. in the Maryland Million Turf Sprint for three-year-olds and up. Off as the second choice in the field of six, Had to Have Him raced in fourth then circled the field off the turn taking command at the sixteenth pole to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:02.47 for five and one-half furlongs. The win by Toledo set a record for most riding victories in Maryland Million history.

“It feels amazing,” Toledo said to Laurel publicity. “Edgar is a mentor to all of us here in Maryland. I never really thought that I’d ever be tied with him. Now passing, it’s incredible.”

Toledo added to his number of Maryland Million wins in race five aboard Slewperstitus for trainer Robbie Bailes in the Maryland Million Lassie for two-year-old fillies. Off a step slow in the field of nine, Slewperstitus tracked the leaders while four-wide before taking command in the final sixteenth to win by a neck in 1:12.23 for six furlongs.

“I got the best horse, so I had to go around because I don’t want to get caught in traffic later on,” said Toledo. “I went around and I asked her. When I asked her a couple of times to get on a roll, she picked it up and showed her class.”

Toledo ended his spectacular day aboard Slam Nation riding again for Robbie Bailes in the Maryland Million Sprint for three-year-olds and up. With a perfect trip orchestrated by Toledo, Slam Nation won by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:10.17 for six furlongs.

Toledo, 31, is a native of Puerto Rico and began riding stateside in 2013 and made Maryland tracks and Colonial Downs his base. He has been leading rider in Maryland four times, 2015, 2017, 2021 and 2022. He rode his 1,000^th career win July 24, 2020 at Laurel and has won multiple leading rider titles at Laurel and Pimlico. He is currently in third place in the Laurel Park standings.

Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Tyler Gaffalione who won the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (GI), Carlos Eduardo Lopez with stakes wins at Delaware Park and Charles Town, Irad Ortiz, Jr. who won the most races for the week and John Velazquez who won the Sycamore (G2) at Keeneland and the Artie Schiller at Belmont at the Big A.