Maryland Million Card Sees Handle Gains
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Photo: Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club
Admirals War Chest won the Maryland Million Classic on Jim McKay Maryland Million Day.
The 30th edition of the Jim McKay Maryland Million Oct. 17 at Laurel Park generated a 34.9% increase in handle and a 5.6% rise in attendance, compared with last year's event.
Total handle for the 11-race program—highlighted by $1 million in purses and Admirals War Chest's victory in the $150,000 Maryland Million Classic —was $3.78 million compared with last year's handle of $2.80 million. Live on-track handle was up 17%, from $466,048 last year to $545,129.
A crowd of 19,119 attended Maryland Million Day, which featured live music and other events at an extensively renovated facility, compared with last year's crowd of 18,100.
"We are very happy with the day's racing, events and crowd," said Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of racing at The Stronach Group, parent company of the Maryland Jockey Club. "Our renovations and new concessions and food service were welcomed with enthusiasm by our guests. It was great to hear people so happy with the changes and improvements. We had full fields despite losing some 20 horses to the quarantine at Parx Racing.
"We want to thank the Maryland breeders and horsemen for their support. This is another step in the revitalization of Maryland breeding and racing."