The $150,000 Maryland Million Classic, the featured event on the Jim McKay Maryland Million Day program at Laurel Park with eight stakes for horses bred in the Old Line State (or by Maryland-bred stallions), was left in the hands of stewards. Ain’t Da Beer Cold led throughout but could not hold off Market Maven , who crossed the wire first by a neck after obvious bumping in the stretch. The judges determined that Market Maven initiated the contact and elevated Ain’t Da Beer Cold to official winner.
As the longest shot in a field of eight, Ain’t Da Beer Cold was allowed to open up by 2 1/2 lengths down the backside through moderate fractions. The top two battled to the wire, with Market Maven stopping the timer in 1:52.39 for 1 1/8 miles on a “good” main track.
Ain’t Da Beer Cold, a 5-year-old Freedom Child gelding trained by Ken Cox and ridden by Jevian Toledo, paid $75.
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