This year, the 24^th running takes place on Saturday. The program is now called the Jim McKay Maryland Million, named after the sportscaster and Maryland horseman that came up with the idea, which has now been copied by nearly every other racing state in the U.S.

Maryland racing has been hurt by neighboring states that now have slot machines, and racing in the state is just a shell of what it used to be.

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Some long time trainers in the state are now based at either Philadelphia Park or Delaware Park, which has purses fueled by slot machines.

I no longer bother to handicap or wager on Maryland racing, despite the fact I cut my teeth as a handicapper playing the ponies in my home state, as well as landing in the winners circle as an owner for the first time at Laurel Park.

I did not get a chance to handicap the entire card for Saturday, but I might have to wager on a few races for old times sake.

I did break down today’s marquee event, the Maryland Million Classic, which is below.

To purchase my full card report for Belmont Park that includes analysis, selections, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for today click here.

Here is today's opening race from Belmont Park to get our day off to a good start:

BEL Race 1 Clm $16,000N1Y (1:00 ET)

#2 I'llthinkofsumthin   3/1

#6 O'Sotopretty   6/1

#7 Gattinara   10/1

#10 Dressmaker  6/1

#2 I'llthinkofsumthin fits well here in this $16K claimer for non-winners of a race in two months. The filly beat $35K claimers three back in the mud in a race taken off the turf, which was her first start for the Brown barn off the claim. The filly tried turf in her last two starts, checking in fifth in both outings. The return to dirt suits and she has landed in the exacta in all four trips over the main track here. If she runs back to her last two main track efforts, she will be tough to beat in this softer spot.

#6 O'Sotopretty came up the inside with a good late rally to finish second against $20K non-winners of two or straight three year olds. She was claimed out of the race by the DiPrima barn that is 16% winners first off the claim. Her speed figs are coming up on the light side but she has landed in the exacta in 6 of her 9 career starts and beat straight three year olds fillies for a $20K tag three back at Churchill Downs. She should get a good pace set up here as there is plenty of early zip signed up to go here.

Wagering

WIN: #2 to win at 2/1 or better.

EX: 2,6 / 2,6,7,10

TRI: 2,6 / 2,6,7,10 / 2,4,6,7,10

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 9 Gallant Bloom Handicap G2 (5:15 ET)

#2 Indian Blessing   8/5

#3 Sara Louise   7/5

#6 Thunders Dove   6/1

#7 P.S.U. Grad   12/1

#2 Indian Blessing looks primed and ready for a good effort today, which is her fourth start of the year. The two-time Eclipse Award winner is seeking her first win of the year. She started in Dubai where she ran a solid seconds against the boys in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), then was fourth in the Desert Stormer as the beaten chalk. Last out she set the early fractions in the Ballerina (G1) and was no match late for Music Note. The third place finisher in that race was Informed Decision, who came back to win the $400,000 Presque Isle Downs Masters in her next outing on Sept. 12. The filly this race, which she won last year, as a stepping-stone to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, where she ran second last year. She has had a myriad of small issues, but her last two works suggest she is ready to fire.

#3 Sara Louise came off a nine-month layoff with a sharp win in the Victory Ride (G3) at the Spa in the slop. The runner up in the race was Bold Union, who came back to win the Endine (G3) in her next start on Sept. 12. The bin Suroor barn has been on fire, hitting at a 36% clip over the last 90 days and that includes six graded stakes wins. The filly has the distinction of being the last runner to finish ahead of Rachel Alexandra when she beat the super filly winning the Pocahontas (G3) last November. Does she regress off the big score last out or does she move forward? A real tough call at a short price.

Wagering

WIN: #2 to win at 8/5 or better.

EX: 2,3 / 2,3,6,7

TRI: 2,3 / 2,3,6,7 / 2,3,5,6,7

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Laurel Park:

LRL Race 11 Maryland Million Classic (6:12 ET)

#6 Regal Solo   6/1

#10 Sweet Goodbye   8/1

#8 Rhythm Master   3/1

#1 Broadway Producer   9/5

#6 Regal Solo has done his best work around one turn but is coming off a sharp win last out against optional claimers going seven furlongs and was claimed out of the race. He now goes for the Dilodovico barn that has won with eight of his last 15 first off the claim.  The gelding has won 4 of 10 over the main track here and was a solid second here in the Private Terms Stakes last year. The barn is 27% winners moving runners from sprint to route and the gelding has enough pedigree to handle the stretch out.

#10 Sweet Goodbye is taking on the boys here and she fits. She went gate to wire to win the two turn Pink Ribbon at seven furlongs at Charles Town in her last outing, which was off a eight-month layoff. She won the Maryland Million Oaks here last year during a three-year-old campaign where she won five of seven starts. The Grove barn is 30% winners (with a +ROI) with horses making their second start off a +180 day layoff.

#8 Rhythm Master was a good second last out in the restricted Governors Day in the slop at Delaware Park. The gelding set the early fractions and could not hold off the winner in the stretch. He was making his first start after getting claimed for $35,000 two back, taken from the Tony Dutrow barn. The new barn has hit at a 19% clip this year with limited stock. McClelland is a sharp trainer who learned plenty while assistant trainer to Howard Wolfendale, one of Maryland’s top claiming barns. There is a slight chance of some rain and I will like this guy more if the track comes up wet.

Wagering

WIN: #6 to win at 4/1 or better.

EX: 6,10 / 1.6.8.10

TRI: 6,10 / 1,6,8,10 / 1,2,6,8,10

Live Longshots:

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Belmont Park

R1: #7 Gattinara   10/1

R2: #4 Flying Valentine   12/1

R4: #8 Stylish Mon   8/1

R4: #6 Recruit   8/1

R5: #4 Gaelic Will   8/1

R6: #4 Holy Anthem   8/1

R7: #11 Five Boroughs   20/1

R9: #7 P.S.U. Grad   12/1

R10: #1 Adastraperaspera   8/1

Good luck today!