Witty takes inside route in Maryland Million Turf Sprint

Patiently ridden by jockey Jevian Toledo, Witty came rolling through an opening along the rail in mid-stretch and powered to a popular 1 ¼-length victory in the $100,000 Maryland Million Turf Sprint Saturday at Laurel Park.

The 5 ½-furlong Turf Sprint for 3-year-olds and up was the last of three grass stakes on the 38th Jim McKay Maryland Million Day program of eight stakes and four starter stakes for ‘Maryland’s Day at the Races’ celebrating the progeny of stallions standing in the state. 

Also on the grass were the $125,000 Turf for 3-year-olds and up and $125,000 Ladies for fillies and mares 3 and older, both at 1 1/8 miles. Serving as the headliner was the $150,000 Classic for 3-year-olds and up going nine furlongs on the main track.

Witty ($3.40) gave Elizabeth Merryman her first Maryland Million victory as a breeder and owner; she also trains the 4-year-old half-brother to multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Caravel. It was the second win of the day for Toledo, following the Maryland Million Starter Handicap with Disputed Claim. 

Favored at 3-5 in a full field of 14, Witty also helped sire Great Notion extend his streak to having at least one Maryland Million winner to 14 consecutive years.

Breaking from Post 5, Witty raced in last around the first turn as 60-1 long shot Odinson showed the way with an opening quarter-mile of 22.54 seconds pressed by 2021 Turf Sprint winner Grateful Bred midway into the far turn. As the top two duked it out up front, Toledo pounced on his opportunity when Tidewater came off the rail to sail through the opening and close with a flourish to win in 1:02.64 over a firm Exceller turf course.

Tidewater got up for second, emerging from a three-way photo a neck ahead of Next Episode, who closed stoutly on the far outside to edge 80-1 long shot R B’s the Boss by a neck. They were followed by Grateful Bred, Cynergy’s Star, Tenax, Odinson, defending Turf Sprint champion Sky’s Not Falling, Commanding General, Prince Pere and Next Episode.

Witty, out of the Congrats mare Zeezee Zoomzoom, earned his second straight turf stakes victory following his neck triumph over Sky’s Not Falling in the five-furlong Ben’s Cat Sept. 16 at historic Pimlico Race Course. He was a dirt stakes winner at both 2 and 3, including the 2022 Spectacular Bid at Laurel.

“He’s a big horse. I had to steady him after the break as the other horses came over,” Toledo said. “I followed [Cynergy’s Star] around the turn and then the inside opened up. He responded well when I asked him to go.”

(Maryland Jockey Club press release. If there are any questions, please contact the organization that provided the release.)