Pimlico, September 26, 1992—Sun shines on seventh Maryland Million

Heavy rains for more than a day looked to wash out the seventh Maryland Million, but the sun arrived just in time to make it a near perfect fall afternoon. While the track condition remained wet (actually listed as good) and turf races were moved to the main track, the races yielded an array of stellar performances.

Stuart Janney III’s red and white silks were carried to victory by two Maryland-bred homebreds: Military Look in the Crown Central Petroleum Maryland Nursery and Deputation in the Maryland Million Oaks. The pedigree of Military Look was a testament to the strength of the bloodlines produced by Janney’s late parents, Stuart Jr. and Barbara Phipps Janney, at Locust Hill Farm – both sire Assault Landing, dam Laughing Look, and three of Military Look’s four grandparents were bred by the Janneys.

Stuart S. Janney III in the winner’s circle

Deputation, a daughter of Deputy Minister out of Wedding Party (by Hoist the Flag) and a graded stakes winner at 2, was odds-on favorite in the Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. She was ridden to an easy victory by Julie Krone, who maintained her all-time lead among Maryland Million-winning riders.

Julie Krone heads to the winner’s circle with Deputation

Marine Brass’ pretty roan daughter Brilliant Brass overcame adversity to win the State of Maryland Distaff Handicap, which at six furlongs was a bit short of her preferred distance. She stumbled at the start, nearly unseating Edgar Prado, grabbed a quarter, tore off a shoe and trailed early before unleashing a run that gave her a one-length victory. It was her sixth stakes win of the year. Two starts earlier she won the mile and a quarter Delaware Handicap-G2. Noted trainer Carlos Garcia: “I trained her like a Quarter Horse.”

Brilliant Brass

For the second year in a row Robert M. Perez’s Richard’s Lass turned in the most visually-impressive performance. In the off-the-turf First National Bank of Maryland Ladies, she led throughout and was never threatened, drawing off to win by 11 lengths. Added to her record-breaking margin in the Oaks the year before, she had a combined winning margin of 25 lengths. She became the first Allen’s Prospect runner to win two Maryland Million events – Gin Talking became his second (Lassie 99; Oaks 00).

Richard’s Lass

Reputed Testamony delivered in the Budweiser Maryland Classic at the expense of Timely Warning, who missed winning his third Classic by a head. Frugal Doc was a nose back in third.
Former Maryland rider Kent Desormeaux, the nation’s leading rider, flew in from his California base and won three races on the day, also guiding Military Look in the Nursery and Asserche in the Maryland Million Handicap.
Handle and attendance continued to climb to new heights as betting on the 12-race card exceeded $3.8 million and combined attendance at Pimlico and Laurel was 24,277, a 21 percent increase over those in attendance for the inaugural card.