Maryland Sprint Stakes

Maryland Sprint Stakes

Class	Grade III
Location	Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Inaugurated	1987 (as Maryland Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap)
Race type	Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website	www.pimlico.com
Race information
Distance	6 furlong sprint
Surface	Dirt
Track	left-handed
Qualification	Three-years-old and older
Weight	Base weights with allowances: 4-year-olds and up: 126 lbs. 3-year-olds: 120 lbs.
Purse	$150,000 (since 2013)

The Maryland Sprint Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and older over a distance of six furlongs run annually in mid May on Preakness Stakes day at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

History

The inaugural running of the event was on 13 June 1987 as the Maryland Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap at Laurel Park Racecourse over a distance of seven furlongs. ^[1] Between 1987 and 2006, the Breeders' Cup sponsored the event while Budweiser sponsored the event from 1987 to 1995 which reflected in the name of the event. ^[2]

Since its second running, the race has been run on the Preakness Stakes undercard at Pimlico racetrack over a distance of six furlongs. ^[3]

The race was first awarded graded status by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association in 1994. ^[4]

The event was changed to the Maryland Sprint Stakes in 2017 when the conditions of the race were modified to be stakes with allowance weight conditions. ^[2]

The event was the lead off leg of the Mid Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships Sprint Dirt Division or MATCh Races, a series of five races in five separate thoroughbred divisions run throughout four Mid-Atlantic States.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States the Preakness Carnival was moved to October and the event was not scheduled. ^[5]

Records

Speed record:

• 6 furlongs – 1:09.07 - Forest Wildcat (1996)

Margins:

• 7+3⁄4 lengths – Snow Ridge (2002)

Most wins:

• No horse has won this race more than once.

Most wins by a jockey:

• 3 - Jerry Bailey (1993, 1998, 1999)
• 3 - Edgar Prado (1994, 2005, 2008)
• 3 - Ricardo Santana Jr. (2017, 2018, 2019)

Most wins by a trainer:

• 4 - D. Wayne Lukas (1995, 1999, 2002, 2012)
• 4 - Steven M. Asmussen (2018, 2019, 2022, 2025)

Most wins by an owner:

• 2 - Overbrook Farm (1995, 2002)

Winners

Year	Winner	Age	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Distance	Time	Purse	Grade	Ref
At Pimlico –Maryland Sprint Stakes
2025	Booth	4	Erik Asmussen	Steven M. Asmussen	William L. Heiligbrodt, Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm & Whispering Oaks Farm	6 furlongs	1:10.39	$148,500	III	[6]
2024	Super Chow	4	Javier Castellano	Jorge Delagado	Lea Farms	6 furlongs	1:11.19	$100,000	III	[7]
2023	Straight No Chaser	4	John R. Velazquez	Dan Blacker	MyRacehorse	6 furlongs	1:08.27	$100,000	III	[8]
2022	Jaxon Traveler	4	Joel Rosario	Steven M. Asmussen	West Point Thoroughbreds & Marvin Delfiner	6 furlongs	1:09.70	$150,000	III	[9]
2021	Special Reserve	5	Irad Ortiz Jr.	Michael J. Maker	Paradise Farms & David Staudacher	6 furlongs	1:08.91	$142,500	III	[10]
2020	Race not held
2019	New York Central	4	Ricardo Santana Jr.	Steven M. Asmussen	Winstar Farm, China Horse Club & SF Racing	6 furlongs	1:08.74	$150,000	III	[11]
2018	Switzerland	4	Ricardo Santana Jr.	Steven M. Asmussen	Woodford Racing	6 furlongs	1:09.43	$150,000	III	[12]
2017	Whitmore	4	Ricardo Santana Jr.	Ron Moquett	Robert V. LaPenta, Southern Springs Stables & Head of Plains Partners	6 furlongs	1:09.90	$150,000	III	[13]
Maryland Sprint Handicap
2016	Always Sunshine	4	Frankie Pennington	Edward T. Allard	Stonehedge	6 furlongs	1:10.49	$150,000	III	[14]
2015	Sandbar	4	Joel Rosario	Joe Sharp	Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey	6 furlongs	1:09.81	$150,000	III	[15]
2014	Happy My Way	4	Joe Bravo	Joe Orseno	Sagamore Farm & Mel Paikoff	6 furlongs	1:09.21	$150,000	III	[16]
2013	Sage Valley	4	John R. Velazquez	Rudy R. Rodriguez	Michael Dubb	6 furlongs	1:10.51	$150,000	III	[17]
2012	Hamazing Destiny	6	Corey Nakatani	D. Wayne Lukas	Westrock Stables & Barry Butzow	6 furlongs	1:10.48	$100,000	III	[18]
2011	Ventana	5	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman	6 furlongs	1:09.88	$100,000	III	[19]
2010	Taqarub	4	Eibar Coa	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	Shadwell Stable	6 furlongs	1:10.02	$100,000	III	[20]
2009	Ravalo	5	John R. Velazquez	Donald H. Barr	Lindy M. Redding	6 furlongs	1:09.95	$100,000	III	[21]
2008	Starforaday	5	Edgar S. Prado	Gary C. Contessa	Winning Move Stable	6 furlongs	1:09.80	$100,000	III	[22]
2007	Diabolical	4	Mario G. Pino	Steve Klesaris	Jeff Puglisi & Steve Klesaris	6 furlongs	1:09.16	$198,500	III	[23]
Maryland Breeders' Cup Sprint Handicap
2006	Friendly Island	5	Garrett K. Gomez	Todd A. Pletcher	Anstu Stable	6 furlongs	1:09.94	$190,000	III	[24]
Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap
2005	Willy o'the Valley	4	Edgar S. Prado	Richard E. Dutrow Jr.	IEAH Stables	6 furlongs	1:09.95	$189,000	III	[25]
2004	Gators N Bears	4	Charles C. Lopez	Leo S. Nechamkin II	Leo S. Nechamkin II	6 furlongs	1:10.84	$186,000	III	[26]
2003	§ Pioneer Boy	5	Jeremy Rose	John J. Robb	Michael J. Gill	6 furlongs	1:10.35	$200,000	III	[27]
2002	Snow Ridge	4	Mike E. Smith	D. Wayne Lukas	Overbrook Farm	6 furlongs	1:10.06	$200,000	III	[28]
2001	Disco Rico	4	Harry Vega	Valora A. Testerman	Alfred DiRico	6 furlongs	1:10.40	$200,000	III	[29]
2000	Dr. Max	4	Shane Sellers	Gloria M. Wenderoth	Martin B. Bernstein & Rufus Freeman	6 furlongs	1:10.91	$137,000	III	[30]
1999	Yes It's True	3	Jerry D. Bailey	D. Wayne Lukas	Padua Stable	6 furlongs	1:09.20	$194,000	III	[31]
1998	Richter Scale	4	Jerry D. Bailey	William I. Mott	Nancy R. and Richard S. Kaster	6 furlongs	1:09.45	$200,000	III	[32]
1997	Cat Be Nimble	5	Joseph Rocco	Timothy F. Ritchey	Candy Stable	6 furlongs	1:10.12	$209,600	III	[33]
1996	§ Forest Wildcat	5	Joe Bravo	Ben W. Perkins Sr.	New Farm	6 furlongs	1:09.07	$216,200	III	[34]
Maryland Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap
1995	Commanche Trail	4	Mike E. Smith	D. Wayne Lukas	Overbrook Farm	6 furlongs	1:09.35	$154,750	III	[35]
1994	Secret Odds	4	Edgar S. Prado	Lawrence E. Murray	Sondra D. Bender	6 furlongs	1:10.38	$156,025	III	[36]
1993	Senor Speedy	6	Jerry D. Bailey	Alfredo Callejas	Robert Perez	6 furlongs	1:09.69	$155,650	Listed	[37]
1992	Potentiality	6	Pat Day	Robert E. Holthus	Dan Jones & Halford E. Sutton	6 furlongs	1:10.25	$155,500	Listed	[38]
1991	Jeweler's Choice	6	Chris McCarron	John W. Hicks III	Fourbros Stable	6 furlongs	1:10.38	$154,350	Listed	[39]
1990	Norquestor	4	Craig Perret	Sonny Hine	Scott C. Savin	6 furlongs	1:09.40	$155,900		[40]
1989	King's Nest	5	Joseph Rocco	Lawrence E. Murray	Sondra D. Bender	6 furlongs	1:09.60	$127,650		[41]
1988	Fire Plug	5	Josiah F. Hampshire Jr.	Eddie Gaudet	Arthur I. Appleton	6 furlongs	1:10.60	$84,800		[42]
At Laurel Park
1987	Purple Mountain	5	Eliezer Ortiz Jr.	Woodrow M. Sedlacek	Jacques D. Wimpfheimer	7 furlongs	1:24.40	$144,000		[1]

Notes:
§ Ran as an entry

See also

• Maryland Sprint Handicap "top three finishers" and starters
• List of American and Canadian Graded races

External sites

• Pimlico Race Course official website

References

1. Austin, Dale (14 June 1987). "Purple Mountain wins Laurel feature – (race 8: held 13 June 1987)". Baltimore Sun . p. 42. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
2. "Maryland Sprint Stakes (Gr. 3)". Equibase. 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
3. 2007 Maryland Jockey Club Media Guide, page 55 on March 3, 2007.
4. "MARYLAND SPRINT HANDICAP - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
5. King, Byron (16 May 2020). "Preakness Stakes Set for Oct. 3 at Pimlico Race Course". BloodHorse. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
6. "2025 Maryland Sprint Stakes Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 17 May 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
7. "2024 Maryland Sprint Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
8. "2023 Maryland Sprint Stakes Presented by Big Ass Fans Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
9. "2022 Maryland Sprint Stakes Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
10. "2021 Maryland Sprint Match Series Stakes Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 15 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
11. "2019 Maryland Sprint Stakes Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 18 May 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
12. "2018 Maryland Sprint Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
13. "2017 Maryland Sprint Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 May 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
14. "2016 Maryland Sprint Handicap Grade 3 - (race 5)". Equibase. 21 May 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
15. "2015 Maryland Sprint Handicap Grade 3 - (race 5)". Equibase. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
16. "2014 Maryland Sprint Handicap Grade 3 - (race 5)". Equibase. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
17. "2013 Maryland Sprint Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
18. "2012 Maryland Sprint Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
19. "2011 Maryland Sprint Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
20. "2010 Maryland Sprint Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 15 May 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
21. "2009 Maryland Sprint Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 16 May 2009. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
22. "2008 Maryland Sprint Handicap Grade 3 - (race 3)". Equibase. 17 May 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
23. "2007 Emirates Airline Maryland Sprint Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 19 May 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
24. "2006 Maryland Breeders' Cup Sprint Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 May 2006. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
25. "2005 Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 May 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
26. "2004 Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 15 May 2004. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
27. "2003 Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 17 May 2003. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
28. "2002 Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 May 2002. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
29. "2001 Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 19 May 2001. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
30. "2000 Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 May 2000. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
31. "1999 Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 15 May 1999. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
32. "1998 Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 3)". Equibase. 16 May 1998. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
33. "1997 Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 17 May 1997. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
34. "1996 Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 May 1996. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
35. "1995 Maryland Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 20 May 1995. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
36. "1994 Maryland Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 May 1994. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
37. "1993 Maryland Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 May 1993. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
38. "1992 Maryland Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 5)". Equibase. 16 May 1992. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
39. "1991 Maryland Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 May 1991. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
40. McGee, Marty (20 May 1990). "Breeders' Cup win keep Perret hot – (race 8: held 19 May 1990)". Baltimore Sun . p. 60. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
41. McGee, Marty (21 May 1989). "After King's Nest's win, Play the King put down – (race 8: held 20 May 1989)". Baltimore Sun . p. 34. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
42. Austin, Dale (21 May 1988). "Fire Plug rallies to win Budweiser Cup – (race 8: held 20 May 1988)". Baltimore Sun . p. 42. Retrieved 1 May 2021.