Local specialists Harpers First Ride, Top Line Growth meet in Maryland Million Classic

Harpers First Ride and Top Line Growth bring outstanding Laurel Park records into the $150,000 Maryland Million Classic on Saturday. Harpers First Ride is 6 for 7 on the local main track, and Top Line Growth is 4 for 4.

The 4-year-olds meet over 1 1/8 miles in the Classic, which is the richest of eight divisional stakes on the popular Maryland Million card. First post for the 12-race program, also featuring four starter stakes, is a special 11:25 a.m. Eastern.

“Everybody’s waiting for this day,” said Claudio Gonzalez, who trains Harpers First Ride. “It’s big for everybody here.”

Harpers First Ride won the Grade 3 Pimlico Special over 1 3/16 miles in his last start Oct. 2. He led throughout for a two-length win, and the Beyer Speed Figure of 101 he earned is the best career number in the Classic. The Special was the second straight stakes win for Harpers First Ride, who won for the $100,000 Deputed Testamony in September at Laurel.

“He’s the best he’s ever been,” Gonzalez said. “Every race he’s improved.”

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Harpers First Ride is a versatile horse, and Gonzalez said he’s not one that has to have the lead. Gonzalez looks for him to be in the race early in the Classic, perhaps sitting off a few rivals as there is other speed signed on.

Harpers First Ride will break from post 5 in the field of seven. Angel Cruz has the mount for MCA Racing Stable.

“I’m a little worried because he has more weight than anybody,” Gonzalez said. “He carries 126 pounds.”

Top Line Growth gets in at 119, off a runner-up finish to Pirate’s Punch in the Grade 3 Salvator Mile on Sept. 20 at Monmouth Park. Pirate’s Punch is headed to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, a race Harpers First Ride had been considered for, according to Gonzalez.

As for Top Line Growth, he’s looking to keep his Laurel record perfect in what will be his third start since September 2019. For his effort in the Salvator Mile, he earned one of his best Beyers, a 95.

“We’re looking forward to this race,” said Kelly Rubley, who trains Top Line Growth for his breeder, The Elkstone Group. “He came off a long layoff in great shape. His last race, I thought he ran a really nice race and we’re hoping this is his spot. He certainly likes the track at Laurel.”

Top Line Growth won his debut and three other allowances at Laurel. Overall, he is 5 for 9 in his career, having been placed first in the $250,000 Iowa Derby last July at Prairie Meadows.

Top Line Growth will start from post 7 under Julian Pimentel.

“We broke a step slow last time, were further back than we wanted to be,” Rubley said. “I think we’re going to be forwardly placed. That’s going to be the goal – get position and see how it goes.”

Others making up the field include Cordmaker, who was third in the Pimlico Special, and Monday Morning Qb, a local stakes winner who ran second to eventual Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Happy Saver in the $100,000 Federico Tesio in September at Laurel.