Phil Capuano’s uncle Dale and father Gary have combined for 22 Maryland Million wins to date. He has two big shots to grab his first on Saturday.
Trainer Jamie Ness’s Maryland Million battalion includes two Classic hopefuls along with Kerness K, the winningest horse in the country.
Walt’s Notion headlines the Maryland Million Nursery for 2-year-olds, and Olivia’s Legacy is favored in the distaff Lassie.
In the Maryland Million juvenile races, Shkhara Fire and Do It for Michael registered wins that packed extra satisfaction for their connections.
Re Markably, named for his trainer’s late husband, will look to burnish a resume already including a stakes win in the Maryland Million Nursery.
Trainer John Robb, with nine Maryland Million winners to his credit, will send out eight, topped by Distaff favorite Fille d’Esprit on Saturday.
Johnyz From Albany is a Maryland-bred with a New York name, and maybe one day he’ll have his connections in a Saratoga state of mind.
Johnyz From Albany led throughout in the Maryland Million Nursery, while Chickieness rallied in the Lassie, but both ended up first.
Heldish, who gave his owner his first win and his jockey his first win after a long layoff, is one of the key contenders in the Maryland Million Nursery.
Buff Hello proved best in Saturday’s Maryland Million Nursery, fighting for the lead and prevailing by two lengths.