Ben’s Cat has won the last five runnings of the Mr. Diz. That race will take place August 22. Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club.
From a Maryland Horse Breeders Association release
Maryland Pride Day, a day of races restricted to Maryland-bred and/or Maryland-sired horses, is set for Aug. 22, the final Saturday of the Laurel Park summer meet, the Maryland Horse Breeders Association announced today. Four stakes and five restricted races will be offered that day, as well as a special salute to Hall of Fame trainer King T. Leatherbury and a free t-shirt giveaway.
Each of the four stakes, scheduled to be run on the turf, will offer a purse of $60,000-guaranteed after an increase was approved at the Maryland Racing Commission meeting on July 21. Closing date to enter is Thursday, Aug. 13.
- MISTER DIZ STAKES: 3 & up, five and one half furlongs (turf)
- JAMEELA STAKES: fillies and mares, 3 & up, six furlongs (turf)
- ALL BRANDY STAKES: fillies and mares, 3 & up, one mile and one eighth (turf)
- FIND STAKES: 3 & up, one mile and one eighth (turf)
As an added incentive, the day will be a “Win and You’re In” event for Maryland Million day. That means that Maryland Million-eligible runners who win a Maryland Pride Day stake will have their Million fees waived.
“I am looking forward to Maryland Pride Day,” said the Maryland Jockey Club’s Vice-President of Racing Georganne Hale. “It gives our owners and breeders a chance to show off their homebreds and gives them a chance to race against other Maryland-breds or Maryland-sired horses.
“I am also excited about the ‘win and you’re in’ feature, which means if a Maryland Million eligible horse wins one of the stakes that day, they will automatically get in a Maryland Million race on Maryland Million day and they don’t have to pay the pre-entry, entry and start fees.”
On the morning of Maryland Pride Day, a seminar and luncheon will be presented by The Jockey Club Information Systems, Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and Maryland Jockey Club, to be held in the Ruffian Room and conclude in time for the Maryland Pride Day card. The seminar will offer demonstrations and explain what The Jockey Club has to offer to horse owners, breeders and trainers. Attendees must RSVP no later than Monday, Aug. 17 by contacting Susan Martin of The Jockey Club Information Systems at 859.224.2800, 800.333.1778 or email [email protected].
