Maryland Million leader Dale Capuano has nine entrants on card

Dale Capuano is the all-time leading trainer in Jim McKay Maryland Million history with 14 wins. He’ll try to add to that total with nine entrants on Saturday’s stakes-laden 12-race program at Laurel Park.

Capuano saddles Vance Scholars in the card’s richest race, the $150,000 Classic for 3-year-olds and upward at 1 1/8 miles.

A 3-year-old gelding, Vance Scholars captured the off-turf Bald Eagle Derby in his seasonal debut on Aug. 6. He recently placed third, beaten a length by Armando R, in the Japan Turf Cup, a race washed to dirt and contested at 1 1/4 miles.

“That race he ran was tremendous,” Capuano said. “23 flat, 47 flat going 1 1/4 miles and the other horses that were with him got beat 50, 60 lengths. He dug in hard. I expect him to run well.”

Although Vance Scholars has shown speed this year, Capuano feels “he can go either way.”

“It depends how the race sets up,” he said.

Ournationonparade rides a three-race win streak into the Classic. He was claimed for $50,000 by trainer Jamie Ness out of a 91-Beyer victory at Churchill Downs on Sept. 28.

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“I’ve always been following the horse,” Ness said. “I used to have the mare. He looked like a solid $50,000 claimer and being Maryland-bred and -sired was just the extra kicker. We claimed this horse with this race in mind.”

Ness admitted that he is “concerned” about stretching out to nine furlongs for the first time. “A mile would be what we want to do, but I don’t make the conditions,” he said.

Trainer Lynn Cash entered two in the Classic. He won a nine-way shake for Double Crown when claiming him for $40,000 at Churchill on June 5. The gelding recently finished second in the open Polynesian at Pimlico on Sept. 24.

“I honestly feel we’ve got as good a shot, if not better, than the others,” Cash said.

Double Crown, second in the Maryland Million Sprint last year, stretches to 1 1/8 miles for the first time. Like Ness, Cash felt a mile would be ideal for Double Crown but is “hopeful” Double Crown stays the trip.

Stablemate Monday Morning Qb won this race in 2020, but soon went to the sidelines with bowed tendon issues. He was claimed for $62,500 at Delaware on Aug. 24.

Monday Morning Qb recently finished last in the Governor’s Day at Delaware Park. Cash blamed the muddy track and the fast pace for the performance. He expects the 5-year-old to show good speed from his outside post.

“I do believe he’ll outrun his odds,” Cash said.

Monday Morning Qb isn’t the only past winner of the race in this year’s field.

Prendimi led home Saturday competitiors Tappin Cat, The Poser, Torch of Truth, Crouchelli, and Ain’t Da Beer Cold when taking advantage of an inside-speed-favoring track in last year’s Classic.

Trained by Luis Carvajal Jr., Prendimi is winless from three starts in 2022, most recently finishing fourth in the Charles Hesse at Monmouth Park.

Torch of Truth stretches out to a comfortable distance after a sprint run following a 196-day layoff.

“I wanted a fresh horse for Maryland Million,” said trainer Michael Trombetta. “In a perfect world, I would have loved to get two races in him.”

Virginia Fulla completes the field. Cordmaker and Benandjoe are also eligibles.

◗ Fortheluvofbourbon is one of the best sprinters on the circuit, and he’ll bring a five-race win streak into the $100,000 Sprint at six furlongs.

Nineteen days ago, Fortheluvofbourbon splashed his way to victory in Parx’s Liberty Bell. Trainer Michael Pino admitted the Sprint wasn’t the original plan.

“It’s a little quick back, but he came back good,” Pino said. “If ever there was a time to come back a little quick, it’s probably that spot.”

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Fortheluvofbourbon faces a solid group that includes 2021 winner Air Token and 2020 winner Karan’s Notion.

Trainer Tim Keefe entered Goldenize and Elusive Agent.

Goldenize “had a rough trip last time,” said Keefe. “He was stuck on the inside with no place to go.

“I love this horse. He’s immature, but coming into his own. He just needs a little bit more experience. He has a bright future.”

Capuano counters with Alwaysinahurry, mired in post 14. “The post position made me sick,” he said. “I expect him to run well, but what kind of trip he gets, who knows?”

◗ Capuano likes both of his 2-year-olds in the $100,000 Nursery at six furlongs.

Timonium debut winner Lost Weekend returned to finish second in Delaware’s First State Dash on Sept. 29.

“He was in tight in between,” Capuano said. “He could have chucked it but went on.”

Johnyz From Albany hit the board in all three starts.

“He tries,” Capuano said noting that he faced promising open 2-year-olds Recruiter and Super Chow in his last two races.

Wildhunch, Bandits Heart, and Heldish also should contend.

◗ Grateful Bred might be the shortest-priced favorite on the card as he attempts to win the $100,000 Turf Sprint at 5 1/2 furlongs for the second consecutive year.

Although winless from six 2022 starts, he has placed in four stakes, and was only beaten three lengths in last month’s Laurel Dash at Pimlico.

Sky’s Not Falling finished second to Grateful Bred in this race last year, and now makes his second start of 2022 for Trombetta.

“He had a minor shin splint over the spring. That’s the reason for the late start,” Trombetta said.

◗ Fille d’Esprit, a 10-time winner with earnings of almost $500,000 heads the $100,000 Distaff for fillies and mares at seven furlongs.

Trained by Jerry Robb, she should show speed after tiring at Parx earlier this month.

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She’ll face strong challenges from multiple stakes winner Malibu Beauty and Wicked Hot, a filly that had a difficult trip against first-level allowance runners at Saratoga on Sept. 5.

◗ Cannon’s Roar runs in the $125,000 Turf at 1 1/8 miles for the fourth consecutive year.

A hard trying 8-year-old, Cannon’s Roar hasn’t won in two years.

“He’s as good as he’s been the last couple of years,” Capuano said. “He’s been in tough races and had some tough beats.”

Speedy Wicked Prankster, late-kicker Street Copper, and morning-line favorite Midnight Hauler all look strong.

◗ Coconut Cake, off three months since her last start, is the 2-1 morning favorite in the $125,000 Ladies at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

“We had a little bit of a speed bump after her last start,” said Keefe. “This has always been our goal, so we went to plan B. She’s training awesome.”

◗ Malibu Moonshine and Chickieness should go favored in the $100,000 Lassie for juvenile fillies at six furlongs.

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