Seven’s Eleven Wins $100,000 Maryland Million Sprint

BALTIMORE – Paul Fowler Jr.’s Intrepid Daydream took the lead from pacesetting Response Time at the top of the stretch and sprinted clear to extend her win streak to three races with a three-length triumph in Saturday’s $100,000 Maryland Million Distaff at Laurel Park.

The seven-furlong Distaff for fillies and mares 3 and older and $100,000 Sprint for 3-year-olds and up going six furlongs were among eight stakes and four starter stakes that comprised the 37th Jim McKay Maryland Million Day program, ‘Maryland’s Day at the Races’ celebrating the progeny of stallions standing in the state.

A 4-year-old homebred daughter of Jess’s Dream, Intrepid Daydream ($4) gave jockey Jevian Toledo his third win of the day following the $100,000 Turf Sprint with Witty and $40,000 Starter Handicap with Disputed Claim. Toledo moved into a tie for third with Mario Pino at 16 Maryland Million wins, trailing only Hall of Famers Edgar Prado (18) and Ramon Dominguez (17).

Intrepid Daydream was the first of three Maryland-bred horses on the also-eligible list for the Distaff who drew into the race after Malibu Moonshine, Moonboots and Mama G’s Wish were scratched. It was the third race in 28 days for Intrepid Daydream, who won the Sept. 16 Shine Again at historic Pimlico Race Course and a restricted allowance Sept. 28 at Delaware Park, both sprinting six furlongs.

“I didn’t know we were going to be in. I was rushing around trying to get here and see the race,” Fowler said. “She ran like we expected. She usually shows speed and today she took back a little bit, relaxed and went on with it. It’s pretty amazing, because it’s a long road. It’s wonderful.”

Response Time, one of two in the Distaff trained by Hamilton Smith along with comebacking two-time Maryland-bred champion Luna Belle, was sent to the lead by Jeiron Barbosa and held it after posting splits of 23.47 and 46.67 seconds. Malibu Beauty, Intrepid Daydream’s multiple stakes-winning stablemate trained by Gary Capuano, raced in second with defending champion Fille d’Esprit in third and Intrepid Daydream in the clear in fourth outside 45-1 long shot Miss Gracie.

Toledo gave Intrepid Daydream her cue rounding the far turn and she responded to move up alongside Response Time entering the stretch before matching strides and going on to win in 1:24.62 over a main track rated good. Response Time held second, 1 ¼ lengths ahead of late-running Luna Belle, who had trained the field early. A five-time stakes winner and Maryland’s champion 2-year-old filly of 2021 and 3-year-old filly of 2022, she was making her first start in 513 days.

“She is a really nice filly,” Toledo said. “That’s three in a row. She got a great post on the outside today. There was lots of speed on the inside, so the plan was to stay close and follow them into the turn. My filly was ready when it was time to go.”

Mavilus, Fille d’Esprit, Malibu Beauty, Quiet Imagination and Sweet Gracie completed the order of finish. Isabella’s Glory and Canoodle were also scratched.

Seven’s Eleven Wins $100,000 Maryland Million Sprint

The Cottonwood Stable LLC’s Seven’s Eleven won his second consecutive start by driving away from Johnyz From Albany to win the $100,000 Maryland Million Sprint by five lengths.

A 3-year-old gelded son of Grade 3 winner Bandbox, Seven’s Eleven ($11.80) covered the six furlongs in 1:10.49 for trainer Carlos Mancilla and jockey Angel Cruz. Seven’s Eleven has won four of 10 starts and four of seven this year.

“My horse is doing real good,” Mancilla said. “I was expecting a big race today. Wet or dry track I know he will run well. Seven-eighths is perfect for him. With six furlongs plan was to sit off pace a bit then make a run.”

Johnyz From Albany shot to the front and set an opening quarter in :22.22 and a half in :44.95 while Seven’s Eleven chased in second before joining the lead at the head of the stretch. Seven’s Eleven eventually put away Johnzy From Albany inside the eighth pole before driving away to a five length victory in 1:10.49.

“We broke sharp and I let him get good position right off the leader,” Cruz said. “He likes to sit off pace just a little bit and then make a run. I knew he was going to like the wet dirt today. When I got beside Johnyz in the stretch I had a lot of horse left.”