“Jim McKay Maryland Million Day, now known as Maryland’s Day at the Races, is truly a fun day at the races,” says Cricket Goodall, executive director. “The races are competitive, and there are great stories behind every winner.  And the on-track entertainment like pony racing and horses and hounds adds to the appeal for families and new fans to come out.”

The 2022 edition saw eleven Maryland-bred and twelve Maryland-sired winners, including Classic winner Ournationonparade (Cal Nation), who became the second horse in history to win both the Nursery and the Classic in their career. The day also saw Murmur Farm stallion Blofeld sweep both juvenile races, as Chickieness took the Lassie and Johnyz From Albany prevailed in the Nursery. Fille d’Esprit (Great Notion) added to an impressive 2022 resume with her win in the Distaff, one of five stakes wins on the year for the mare.

Jim McKay Maryland Million Day, modeled on the Breeders’ Cup and designed to spotlight the stallions, was first run in 1986 at Laurel Park. The day of racing celebrates the Maryland breeding and racing industry which along with various equine activities in the State has an economic impact of nearly $2 billion.