In a heart-pounding finish to the $125,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint on Saturday at Laurel Park, Chasing Liberty prevailed by the narrowest of noses over Outlaw Kid, the two tasting, respectively, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, to borrow one of the race's namesake's iconic phrases. The Preakness Stakes and its attendant undercard events were moved to the other side of Baltimore this year due to the ongoing rebuild of Pimlico Race Course, giving Laurel Park a major national spotlight. One of those undercard stakes, the Jim McKay, honors the iconic broadcaster credited with creating one of the biggest annual days at Laurel. Born in Pennsylvania, McKay moved to Maryland as a teenager. He built his career there and considered it his home. McKay’s coverage of racing began in 1947 with reporting from Pimlico, and he later became a key player in coverage of the entire Triple Crown with ABC. McKay, who became a Thoroughbred owner and breeder himself, was a champion of racing in his adopted home state. The first Breeders' Cup in 1984 inspired him to propose a rich event to similarly showcase Maryland breeding. The Maryland Million card debuted at Laurel in 1986, and McKay remained chairman of the board until his death in 2008. The event is now officially known as the Jim McKay Maryland Million. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. McKay is also honored in Maryland with the Jim McKay Turf Sprint on the Preakness Stakes undercard. Favored Jean Valjean set the pace in Saturday's McKay, sizzling through an opening quarter-mile of 22.10 seconds on a firm turf course that had not taken rain since overnight on Wednesday. The gelding tried to keep finding more in upper stretch but was clearly tiring, still running on his inside lead. Determined Kingdom sprung to the front along Jean Valjean's inside, with Fore Harp looming a danger outside. At that point, Chasing Liberty, against the rail, and Outlaw Kid were virtually shoulder-to-shoulder. Jorge Ruiz chose to go outside of the top three with Outlaw Kid for a clear rally. Meanwhile, Irad Ortiz Jr. found the narrowest of seams inside of Determined Kingdom with Chasing Liberty ($9.20).  “I was saving ground and I could see everything happening right in front of me,” Ortiz said. “I asked my horse and he gave me a good turn of foot." Chasing Liberty gamely worked his way through, and when Outlaw Kid came to him in the clear with a rush, they tested one another to the wire. It was the reverse exacta of the King T. Leatherbury Stakes last month at Laurel, in which Outlaw Kid bested Chasing Liberty by a neck after the latter was bumped and then ran wide himself.  “When I saw [Outlaw Kid] coming from the outside, I was like, ‘Here we go again,’” Chasing Liberty’s trainer Rob Atras said. “Down the lane, he was so determined to keep in front. I was thrilled for him today. Really a great ride by Irad, too.” The time for the 5 1/2 furlongs was 1:01.37. After the top two, it was two lengths back to Card Trick in third as several others finished willingly to overhaul the pace horses. Run Curtis Run, Jean Valjean, Determined Kingdom, Fore Harp, Todewater, Had to Have Him, and Incinerator rounded out the order of finish. Isivunguvungu was scratched. The 4-year-old Chasing Liberty, who runs for Twin Creeks Racing and Commonwealth, became a millionaire with this victory. The well-traveled colt was a multiple stakes winner at 2, including the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes on Breeders’ Cup weekend at Del Mar. He won the Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile in January 2025 to start his 3-year-old season. That was his most recent victory until Saturday, but not for lack of trying. He had four stakes placings since, including in the Leatherbury against a gelding who could become a rival this season.  “This horse has been everywhere. Even when he has run fourth or fifth, it wasn’t because of him,” Atras said. “He always runs a big race. He always runs hard. He is a dream horse to have. He shows up every single time.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.