Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Tappin Cat rides win streak into Maryland Million Classic
Morning-line favorite Tappin Cat seeks his fourth consecutive victory when he headlines Saturday’s $150,000 Maryland Million Classic for 3-year-olds and up going nine furlongs on dirt at Laurel Park.
A 5-year-old son of Tritap trained by Gary Capuano, Tappin Cat finished third in the 2019 Classic. He recently won the restricted Governor’s Day Handicap at Delaware Park.
Capuano was impressed with Tappin’s win in the mile and 70-yard Governor’s Cup.
“He was head-and-head for the lead most of the way,” Capuano said. “They came to him at the eighth pole, and he really dug in. He’s maturing and relaxing this year.”
Tappin Cat has been a pace presence during his recent winning streak and Capuano expects those tactics to continue Saturday.
“We’re going to break and force the issue,” he said. “If somebody wants to gun it from the outside, we should be in a clear spot to stalk.”
Trainer Brittany Russell entered 3-year-old Dream Big Dreams, a rallying winner of a 1 1/16-mile allowance race at Laurel last month.
“We’ve always liked him,” Russell said. “A few of his efforts have been discouraging, but more like trainer error than horse error. He’s 3 so we’re asking a lot of him, but he likes this long stretch at Laurel.”
Also in the field are multiple stakes winner Prendimi; stakes-placed Ain’t Da Beer Cold; last-out winners Torch of Truth and Crouchelli; Dancing Lou; and The Poser.
The Classic is among eight stakes and four starter events on a Maryland’s Day at the Races program with a special first post of 11:30 a.m. The stakes are restricted to progeny of stallions that stand in the state.
Maryland Million Turf
Cannon’s Roar was second in the 2020 Maryland Million Turf, and he’ll try to go one better in this year’s $100,000 event for 3-year-olds and up at nine furlongs.
Cannon’s Roar, 7, comes off a third-place finish, beaten a half-length in the 5 1/2-furlong Laurel Dash.
“I thought he ran terrific,” said trainer Dale Capuano. “He had an excellent mile breeze and is ready to go.”
The turf is expected to be firm on Saturday, which is Cannon’s Roar’s preferred course condition, Capuano said.
Cannon’s Roar drew the inside post.
“Love the draw,” Capuano said. “With no bad luck, I expect a big race out of him.”
Johng, recently fourth in the 1 1/2-mile Japan Turf Cup and a winner in three of his last five starts, looms a late threat from off the pace.
Somekindofmagician and Nick Papagiorgio beat Cannon’s Roar when finishing one-two in the restricted Find Stakes over yielding ground at Pimlico on Aug. 21.
Nick Papagiorgio was third as the favorite in last year’s Turf and recently earned a careerbest 88 Beyer when third in an allowance over Presque Isle Downs’s Tapeta surface.
Pretty Good Year paid $32 when he rallied from last to win this race in 2020, and he is back to try for a repeat.
Trifor Gold won the restricted Sussex Stakes three back at Delaware before finishing fourth in the Find. He ran eighth in an allowance on the turf at Delaware in his last start.
Ravens Delight, Benny
Havens, Street Copper, and Up Against It complete the main body of the field.
Maryland Million Ladies
Gary Capuano also looks live with I Love You in the $100,000 Ladies for fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles on turf. The Seville mare was impressive sweeping from the back to win an entry-level allowance at Laurel last month.
“She didn’t get away good and got squeezed, “Capuano said. “From there, you never know, but once she made a move, she really took off and kept going.”
Russell sends out Misty’s Banshee off a maiden win at a mile in her second start. The Ladies will be her first start on turf.
“We’ve always thought she has a lot of ability, but it’s been a mental game with her,” Russell said. “She has a high cruising speed and keeps going. I hope that translates on the turf.”
Maryland Million Turf Sprint
Grateful Bred, fresh off a solid fifth in the Laurel Dash, is a contender in the $75,000 Turf Sprint for 3 -year-olds and up at 5 1/2 furlongs.
Usually a pace factor, Grateful Bred rated almost five lengths back early in the Laurel Dash.
“There was so much speed to his inside,” said trainer Madison Meyers. “Right when he took back for a second, everyone else tried to kick on and he lost a bit of ground. I was really proud of the horse to be beaten a length.”
Sue Loves Barbados is a closer with a puncher’s chance.
“I’ve been frustrated with him because he can’t stay inside and save ground,” said his trainer, Dale Capuano. “He’s always wide and really needs a good trip.”