PRESIDENTIALAFFAIR (Not for Love) made his Maryland Million debut in 2003,
just missing by a nose in the Maryland Million Classic. Returning last year for
another go, the Martin Ciresa trainee posted a 1 3/4-length victory in the 1
3/16-mile test, which had been switched to Pimlico while Laurel Park was
undergoing renovations. The Maryland Million returns to its home at Laurel for
the 20th edition, and Presidentialaffair has followed to defend his title.
Taking the lead soon after the start of last year’s race, the bay gelding was
never headed en route to his lucrative score. That was his last start of 2004
and he opened this year’s account with a win in the Jim McKay Breeders’ Cup H.
at Pimlico. He hasn’t visited the winner’s circle in three starts against the
best routers in the country so far this year, but will only have to take on six
rivals in Saturday’s $250,000
Maryland Million Classic.
Three of his foes from last year will also be returning, including the runner-up, AGGADAN
(Carnivalay). The Richard Dutrow Jr. charge has placed five times from seven
starts so far this year, but is still looking for a win. Able to win at both
routes and sprints, the six-year-old chestnut will have Ramon Dominguez aboard
for Saturday’s event.
The Maryland Million Classic field, with riders and weights, is OFF THE GLASS
(Press Card), Horacio Karamanos, 119; CHEROKEE’S BOY (Citidancer), Travis
Dunkelberger, 126; Aggadan, 121; Presidentialaffair, Stewart Elliott, 123; PLAY
BINGO (Polish Numbers), Ryan Fogelsonger, 121; FIVE STEPS (Yarrow Brae), Abel
Castellano Jr., 119; and BRUCEYBRUCEYBRUCEY (Waquoit), Mario Pino, 119.
The winners from five other Maryland Million races are also returning to try
to defend their titles: MY POKER PLAYER (Not for Love) ($150,000
Maryland
Million Sprint H.); DR DETROIT (Wayne County [Ire]) ($150,000
Maryland Million
Turf S.); NAMEQUEST (Norquestor) ($100,000
Maryland Million Turf Sprint H.);
DIXIE COLONY (Citidancer) ($50,000
Maryland Million Starter H.); and DRUM ROLL
PLEASE (Deputed Testamony) ($30,000
Maryland Million Sprint Starter H.).
The rest of the Maryland Million events are the $150,000
Maryland Million
Ladies S., $150,000
Maryland Million Oaks, $150,000
Maryland Million Distaff H.,
$125,000 Maryland Million Lassie S., $125,000
Maryland Million Nursery S. and
$50,000 Maryland Million Distaff Starter H.