Bettors love a sure thing and Cherokee’s Boy has always been one to hit the board. Now handicappers are hoping the 6-year-old provides getaway money in his final run.
Cherokee’s Boy is the heavy 1-2 favorite in Saturday’s $250,000 Maryland Million Classic — the headliner of the annual fall Maryland Million Day at Laurel Park. A full card of 117 state-sired runners compete in 12 races meant to boost the Maryland breeding industry as it struggles against neighboring states with slot-funded purses.
Million Day has been a big success over 20 years since created during a late-night kitchen table discussion between state horsemen and ABC broadcaster Jim McKay, who’s also a Maryland breeder. It’s the state’s second biggest annual card after the Preakness Stakes, but a lot less crowded and some say a lot more fun.
The greatest part of the Million is small breeders can beat bigger outfits. No-name horses suddenly become stars. Owners with one horse can knock off the captains of industry. Makes the day even sweeter for working joes.
Cherokee’s Boy is a classic Maryland runner. Winnerof 14 stakes races, including the 2002 Maryland Nursery as a 2-year-old colt, Cherokee’s Boy’s $1.17 million earnings rank 13th among Maryland-breds. A Classic victory would move him to 10th.
But the best part for bettors is Cherokee’s Boy is a check casher; finishing worse than fourth only once in 47 races. With 19 victories and 39 finishes among the top three, bettors began backing him long ago. The payoffs are usually meager, but money’s money and Cherokee’s Boy is the day’s best bet versus a lackluster field before heading to stud duty at the Maryland Stallion Station. Hey, anyone that scores 46 of 47 times deserves a second career as a stallion.
“He’s a hard hitter. He goes out every time. You know he’s going to run. What more can you ask for?” co-owner Foard Wilgis said. “If we can get one more win out of him, we’ll all be happy.”
Fans love to watch champions, but they also love cashing tickets. The Maryland Sprint may be the most competitive with track record-holder Diamonds in Style facing multi-stakes winner Celtic Innis and Ironton. The choice is Celtic Innis.
Simaril is the narrow pick over Yolanda B. Too in the Million Oaks. Six Strings takes the Million Nursery. Satan’s Code should win the Maryland Turf Sprint. Only in Philly is the Maryland Ladies pick. Spectacular Malibu will edge stablemate What Time it is in the Maryland Lassie. Smart and Fancy takes a competitive Maryland Oaks.
The Maryland Turf offers a big triple payoff using Prep School over Quantico Joe and Irish Embassy. Deer Run and Off The Glass, both former Million Day winners, meet in the $50,000 Starter Handicap. Take Deer Run. Hunca Munca scores in the $50,000 Distaff Starter Handicap.
If you can’t profit at the mutuel windows, at least watch someone become a millionaire. Twelve scratchoff lottery winners will compete for a $1 million score. Now that’s entertainment.
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at [email protected].
