Capuano haltered Taking Risks Stable and Louis J. Ulman’s Gennie Highway for $16,000 out of a third-place finish in a 5 ½-furlong claiming sprint on the grass July 3. After an off-the-turf try where she ran last after stumbling at the start, the 4-year-old Seville filly stretched out to be third going 1 1/16 miles and a three-quarter-length winner Sept. 19 in a one-mile claimer originally carded for the grass.

“She was coming off a layoff and she ran on turf and it was early in the year so we figured we’d take a chance on her. Little did we know we were going to get rained out most of the year, but she did win an off the turf race so that helped,” Capuano said. “She’s run pretty well in claiming races. This race is obviously a step up in class for her, but she might like the mile and an eighth. She’s very consistent.”

MARYLAND MILLION LADIES

• Average win price last 15 years: $25.62
• Number of winning favorites: 1
• Average $2 exacta payout: $174.47
• Average field size: 8.6

Neil Glasser’s Gallinella is another horse Capuano claimed for $16,000, after the 4-year-old daughter of Friesan Fire ran second by a half-length in a six-furlong claiming event on the main track. In the first start for the new connections, she raced near the back after getting bumped at the start but was able to get up for fourth in a 1 1/16-mile turf allowance.

“We just got her. She’s gotten into our program and she’s bred decent for grass. The last race was a tough race, but she didn’t run all that bad,” Capuano said. “For $100,000 we figured we might take a shot. Plus, she had trouble last time and it was her first time at a distance, and I thought she handled the distance OK.”

The 1-5 program favorite for the Ladies is R Larry Johnson and RDM Racing Stable’s No Mo Lady, a Maryland-bred daughter of champion Uncle Mo who sits first on the also-eligible list and would need two scratches to get in. No Mo Lady has placed in three consecutive stakes, running second in the Indiana General Assembly Distaff at Indiana Grand and 1 1/8-mile All Along at Laurel, and third in the Gallorette (G3) last out Oct. 3 at Pimlico Race Course.

Charles J. Reed’s Something Magical set the pace in last year’s Ladies before fading to be fourth, beaten seven lengths by upset winner Zonda. The 5-year-old mare is winless in three tries this year, running second in her June 13 debut and returning from a three-month layoff to be sixth Oct. 8 in a pair of optional claimers.

Mosalah, Breviary, Epic Idea, Shifra Magician, Redeem My Heart and Little Lion Girl are also entered. Something Magical’s Phil Schoenthal-trained stablemate Quiet Company is the second also-eligible.