Timonium race meet set for Friday kickoff

  • userFrank Vespe
  • dateAugust 25, 2023

Timonium kicks off its seven-day stand August 25, and early returns – keep those fingers crossed – are positive. The track has carded a trio of nine-race cards, and the $75,000 Timonium Distaff Stakes, a two-turn, 6 ½-furlong test for older fillies and mares, has drawn an overflow field of 11.

The Timonium meet, which takes place during the Maryland State Fair, is the last fair meet in the East. As such, it’s known as much for its atmosphere – the aroma of corn dogs, the Ferris wheel looming over the far turn, the enthusiastic crowds – as its racing. Here are five things to watch for this year:

  • Check out the Distaff!
    • The Timonium Distaff, the first of two stakes scheduled during the meet, has attracted a field of 11, which is one more than the gate can accommodate. And this field isn’t kidding around. It includes the first Kenny McPeek trainee to race here in more than five years if not ever in stakes winner Semble Juste; half-million dollar earners Malibu Beauty and Princess Kokachin; and morning line favorite Self Isolation (2-1) for trainer David Jacobson.
  • Two for the price of…
    • Did we mention two stakes this year at the Big T? The $75,000 Timonium Juvenile, also at 6 ½ furlongs, takes place Saturday, September 2. It’s drawn more than three dozen nominations.

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  • Back-to-back Angel?
    • Angel Cruz won last year’s Big T riding title, earning a dozen victories to outpace Jeiron Barbosa, who finished with eight. Cruz certainly has the look of a man hoping to retain his crown; he has mounts in 17 races during the opening weekend. Barbosa is named on horses in 10 races during the first weekend.
  • Wide-open trainer race
    • Six trainers finished with either three or four wins at the 2022 meet, headed by Anthony Farrior and Brian Brooks with four each. This year’s race could be similarly wide-open, though one trainer who looks to have designs on breaking through the logjam is John Robb. The longtime Maryland conditioner has 16 horses entered the first three days, more than any other of last year’s major players.
  • Events galore
    • In addition to fun racing and two stakes, there’ll be plenty of events to bring ‘em out to the track. Friday, August 25 will be Ladies’ Day at the Races, while the next day is College Day, when numerous $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to lucky college students. On Saturday, Sept. 2 the day will kick off with pony races starting at 10:00 a.m. Then during the afternoon, the Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame will induct its two newest members, the steeplechaser Mountain Dew and the super-popular turf sprinter Ben’s Cat.

C’mon out to the Fair.

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