Maryland Million Distaff Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in October since 1986 primarily at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland or at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. To be eligible for the Maryland Million Distaff Handicap, a filly or mare must be sired by a stallion who stands in Maryland. Due to that restriction the race is classified as a non-graded or "listed" stakes race and is not eligible for grading by the American Graded Stakes Committee.

The race is part of Maryland Million Day, a 12-race program held in mid October that was the creation of renowned television sports journalist Jim McKay. The "Maryland Million" is the first State-Bred showcase event ever created. Since 1986, 27 other events in 20 states have imitated the showcase and its structure.Maryland Million 2008, October 4, Laurel Park, Official Souvenir Guide for 23rd Running, page 4 and 5.

From its inception in 1986 through 1992, 2001, 2002 and 2004 the race was run on dirt at a distance of six furlongs. Since 2004 it has been a 7 furlongs competition and currently offers a purse of $150,000.

In its 30th running in 2015, the race was restricted to those horses who were sired by a stallion who stands in the state of Maryland. Both the entrant horse and their stallion must be nominated to the Maryland Million program.

The race itself has had many titles since 1986 due in large part to the aggressive marketing efforts of Maryland Million Limited, the series' corporate founder. The race has been called many things starting from 1986 through 1988 and 1990 through 1992 it was known as the "State of Maryland Distaff Handicap." From 1993 through 1995 the race was called the "Port of Baltimore Distaff Handicap," from 1996 through 2001 the race was known as the "Maryland Department of Transportation Distaff Handicap." In 2002 the race was called the "Susquehanna Bank Disstaff Handicap," in 2006 it was known as the "Baltimore Examiner Distaff Handicap" and in 2007 the race was called the "Toyota Tundra Distaff Handicap."

Records

Most wins horse: 3 - Safely Kept (1989, 1990, 1991)

Speed record: 7 furlongs: 1:21.84 - Hello Beautiful (2020) 6 furlongs: 1:10.00 - Safely Kept (1989)

Most wins by an owner: 2 - Jayeff B Stable 2 - Madaket Stables (2020, 2021)

Most wins by a jockey: 3 - Mario Pino

Most wins by a trainer: 3 - Alan E. Goldberg

Winners of the Maryland Million Distaff Handicap since 1986 Yr Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Dist. Time Purse2025Onyx Ten3Yedsit HazlewoodGary Capuano Frank Sample7 fur.1:24.34$102,0302024 Foxy Junior4 Jomar Torres T. Bernard Houghton Dianne Stern7 fur.1:23.86$101,0002023 Intrepid Daydream4 Jevian Toledo Gary Capuano Paul L. Fowler, Jr.7 fur.1:24.62$100,0002022 Fille d'Esprit4 Xavier Perez John J. Robb C J I Phoenix Group7 fur.1:25.05$101,0002021 Hello Beautiful4 Jevian Toledo Brittany Russell Madaket Stables7 fur.1:22.22$100,0002020 Hello Beautiful3 Sheldon Russell Brittany Russell Madaket Stables7 fur.1:21.84$101,0002019 Anna's Bandit5 Xavier Perez John J. Robb No Guts No Glory Farm7 fur.1:23.03$100,0002018 Crabcakes4 Forest Boyce T. Bernard Houghton Morgan's Ford Farm7 fur.1:22.85$100,0002017 Crabcakes3 Forest Boyce T. Bernard Houghton Morgan's Ford Farm7 fur.1:23.03$100,0002016 Rockin JoJo4 Angel Cruz Guadalupe Preciado Michael R. Cox7 fur.1:25.06$100,0002015 Lionhearted Lady4 Xavier Perez Hamilton A. Smith JoAnn Smith7 fur.1:24.31$100,0002014 Classy Coco4 Trevor McCarthy T. Bernard Houghton Michael R. Cox7 fur.1:23.93$100,0002013 Maddy's Dance3 Daniel Centeno John Rigattieri Dennis J. Federico7 fur.1:23.65$100,0002012 Bold Affair 4 Abel Castellano Harry Wolfendale Mike Zanella7 fur.1:24.52$100,0002011 Love That Dance 5 Pablo Fragoso Benjamin Perkins John Petrini 7 fur.1:24.51$100,0002010Blind Date 4 Sheldon RussellHamilton A. SmithWilliam Backer 7 fur.1:28.82$100,0002009All Giving 5 Jonathan JoyceFlint W. StitesConcepts Unlim.Stable 7 fur.1:23.34$100,0002008Spectacular Malibu 4 Julian PimentelMichael J. TrombettaCountry Life Farm7 fur.1:23.56$150,0002007Akronism3Anthony BlackTimothy F. RitcheyRobert S. Evans7 fur.1:24.00$150,0002006Silmaril5Ryan FogelsongerChristopher GroveStephen E. Quick7 fur.1:23.00$150,0002005Valley of the Gods5Harry VegaKeith W. LeBarronDavid O'Neill7 fur.1:25.34$150,0002004Merryland Missy4Stewart ElliottTimothy F. RitcheyCountry Life Farm6 fur.1:10.60$100,0002003Willa On the Move4Mario PinoAnthony W. DutrowMarathon Farms, Inc.7 fur.1:22.73$100,0002002Blinded by Love4Richard MiglioreBenjamin W. Perkins Jr.New Farm6 fur.1:11.28$100,0002001Case of the Blues4Mario PinoAnthony W. DutrowSkeedattle II6 fur.1:11.54$100,0002000Tropical Punch4Heberto Castillo Jr.James A. JerkensSusan & John Moore7 fur.1:23.46$100,0001999Flippy Diane5Diane J. NelsonLeah GyarmatiCastle Village Farm7 fur.1:23.80$100,0001998Weather Vane4Mario PinoRichard W. DelpPar Four Rac.Stables7 fur.1:23.20$100,0001997Secret Prospect4Mark JohnstonJohn J. Tammaro IIIConover Stable7 fur.1:24.60$100,0001996Heavenly Punch4Edgar S. PradoSid C. AttardC. Stable & R. Harvey7 fur.1:23.00$100,0001995Churchbell Chimes4Alberto DelgadoJ. William BonifaceSusan Granville7 fur.1:24.00$100,0001994Alcovy4Scott Edward MillerWilliam G. HuffmanL. Riley Magnum7 fur.1:23.60$100,0001993Star Minister4Andrea SeefeldtRichard W. SmallRobert Meyerhoff7 fur.1:24.20$100,0001992Brilliant Brass5Edgar S. PradoCarlos A. GarciaElaine L. Bassford6 fur.1:11.60$100,0001991Safely Kept5Gary StevensAlan E. GoldbergJayeff B Stable6 fur.1:11.00$100,0001990Safely Kept4Julie KroneAlan E. GoldbergJayeff B Stable6 fur.1:11.00$100,0001989Safely Kept3Craig PerretAlan E. GoldbergBarry Weisbord6 fur.1:10.00$100,0001988Dark Tzarina5M. J. ConnerH. Kirk Steen Jr.Cerulean Farm6 fur.1:10.80$100,0001987Ms. Rutledge3Kent DesormeauxKing T. LeatherburyHerman Greenberg6 fur.1:11.20$100,0001986Capp It Off4Jerry D. BaileyGregory L. WilsonOliver Goldsmith6 fur.1:11.80$100,000

See also Maryland Million Distaff Handicap top three finishers Maryland Million Day Laurel Park Racecourse

References

Maryland Thoroughbred official website