Barbadian Runner pulling the upset. (Jim McCue/TMJC)
Dan Illman/Laurel Park
LAUREL, Md.—Barbadian Runner upset reigning Maryland-bred Horse of the Year Post Time in Laurel Park’s $150,000 Milton P. Higgins III Maryland Million Classic, the featured event on Saturday’s 12-race Jim McKay Maryland Million program, presented by Brown Advisory.
Named for the late Hall of Fame and 13-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster who helped launch the groundbreaking concept in 1986, the Jim McKay Maryland Million has evolved into the second-biggest day on the state’s racing calendar behind only the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes.
“Maryland’s Day at the Races” celebrates the stallions that stand in the state, as well as its rich and diverse racing history, which dates to the founding of the Maryland Jockey Club in 1743 and has spawned copycat events across the United States and Canada.
The Milton P. Higgins III Maryland Million Classic, for 3-year-olds and upward at 1 1/8 miles, was supposed to be a happy homecoming for Post Time, who went off the 1-10 favorite in search of his 11th consecutive victory at Laurel Park without a defeat.
Folks have been doubting Barbadian Runner throughout his life, however, and he’s banked $730,630 by proving them wrong.
Purchased for $5,000 as a yearling, the 3-year-old gelding by Barbados saved ground in a loose pocket as Blue Kingdom shook clear on an uncontested lead. The pace wasn’t fast with Blue Kingdom controlling splits of 24.98, 50.31, and 1:15.14.
Meanwhile, Post Time settled in his customary spot near the back of the pack, seemingly biding his time and waiting to strike.
Sitting aboard Barbadian Runner, jockey Forest Boyce decided the time to attack Blue Kingdom was on the second turn. She eased her mount outside the pacesetter and confronted that one in the upper stretch.
Moving off the rail allowed Sheldon Russell to save valuable ground with Post Time, and the big favorite charged up the inside to the roar of the crowd.
Barbadian Runner poked his head in front inside the eighth pole, but Post Time seemingly had a ton of momentum. They locked horns at the sixteenth pole, then Barbadian Runner found another gear. He turned away Post Time to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.09 over the fast main track.
Blue Kingdom finished another 1 ¾ lengths behind in third. Hittheroadjak, All the Hardways, and Mugatu were next. Secret Zipper, Sacred Thunder, and Feeling Woozy scratched.
Barbadian Runner returned $14.60 to win as the distant second choice in the betting.
After the race, Boyce interrupted an interview to hug winning trainer Henry Walters.
Although she’s now won ten Jim McKay Maryland Million races, the consistently excellent Boyce is still somewhat underrated nationally. “I really appreciate it,” Boyce said softly. “That was awesome.”
“He’s tough,” Walters told reporters. “He just loves to run with horses. You give him a target and he’ll chase him down, or he’ll dig in. He runs comfortably that way.”
Despite Post Time’s daunting reputation, Walters felt confident in the stretch.
“At the eighth pole, I knew he wasn’t going to let anybody pass him,” he said.
This was Barbadian Runner’s first race at 1 1/8 miles. In his final prep, he grabbed the $500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes at Charles Town on Aug. 22.
“If you had asked me three or four months ago, I’d have said [nine furlongs] was not in his limits,” admitted Walters, who said that Barbadian Runner is “by far” the best horse he’s ever trained. “The race at Charles Town was seven-eighths for 3-year-olds. He beat some pretty good horses, and he couldn’t blow a match out after the race, so you knew there was more in the tank. He was just getting better and better.”
Barbadian Runner is by Barbados out of Quiet Run, an unraced daughter of Northern Afleet.
“He surprised me from day one,” Walters admitted. “When we purchased him, we never thought he’d turn out to be this good. He’s gotten better each time. He’s got way more talent than his breeding suggests,” Walters stated. “He’s a throwback from yesteryear.”
Indeed, he is. Since his debut, a fourth-place finish on June 30, 2024, Barbadian Runner has raced 16 times. Twice stakes-placed at seven furlongs last year, he started this year on the right hoof by taking the Spectacular Bid Stakes on Jan. 25. The following month, he snatched the Miracle Wood Stakes around a one-turn mile.
On May 31, Barbadian Runner won the off-turf Jersey Derby by 7 ¼ lengths at Monmouth Park. He then finished second in three consecutive stakes before winning the Robert Hilton Memorial.
“He’s matured immensely from a year ago,” Walters said. “He’s a great horse to train.”
Other winners on the Maryland Million Day card.
The Anne Arundel County Maryland Million Turf Distaff Starter Handicap
— The Maryland Jockey Club, Inc. (@LaurelPark) October 11, 2025
Winner: Sharmin
Winning Trainer: Hugh McMahon
Winning Jockey: Yedsit Hazlewood pic.twitter.com/Q6krEUwwCH
The Farmacy Brewery Maryland Million Turf Starter Handicap
— The Maryland Jockey Club, Inc. (@LaurelPark) October 11, 2025
Winner: Whiskeyinthejaro
Winning Trainer: Tim Keefe
Winning Jockey: Jorge Ruiz pic.twitter.com/bSqcuUXtCQ
The Maryland Horse Fencing Maryland Million Starter Handicap
— The Maryland Jockey Club, Inc. (@LaurelPark) October 11, 2025
Winner: Formal Affair
Winning Trainer: Jose Corrales
Winning Jockey: Yedsit Hazlewood pic.twitter.com/akehmC8geU
The Willow Oaks Stable Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap
— The Maryland Jockey Club, Inc. (@LaurelPark) October 11, 2025
Winner: Neolithica
Winning Trainer: Kieron Magee
Winning Jockey: JD Acosta pic.twitter.com/pu2Rs78bXE
HOUNDS!!!#MarylandMillion @LaurelPark #GoshenFoxHounds pic.twitter.com/3r6lXgXuNW
— Dave Rodman (@DaveRodman) October 11, 2025
Around the track … … …. …..
All-sources handle for Jim McKay Maryland Million Day was $5,707,201, a 22.5% increase from 2024’s program. Average wagering per race was $475,600 compared to $388,333 a year ago. Apprentice jockey Yedsit Hazlewood captured four races on the card, including the first two stakes wins of his career…
Jevian Toledo rode three winners and passed Hall of Famer Edgar Prado as the winningest rider in Jim McKay Maryland Million history…Trainers Tim Keefe, Robbie Bailes, and Gary Capuano each saddled two winners…JockeyJorge Ruiz captured two races…Great Notion, the winningest active stallion in Jim McKay Maryland Million history, sired three winners…
Mosler sired two winners.
