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Barbadian runner slips past favorite post time in MM Classic
Horse Racing

Barbadian runner slips past favorite post time in MM Classic

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Barbadian Runner getting upset. (Jim McCue/TMJC)

Dan Illman/Laurel Park

LAUREL, Md.—Barbadian runner reigning Maryland-bred Horse of the Year Post Time in Laurel Park’s $150,000 Milton P. Higgins III Maryland Million Classic, the main event on Saturday’s 12-race Jim McKay Maryland Million program, presented by Brown Advisory.

The Jim McKay Maryland Million, named for the late Hall of Famer and 13-time Emmy Award-winning announcer who helped launch the groundbreaking concept in 1986, has become 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 state’s native stallions as well as its rich and varied racing history, which dates back 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 older 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 11e consecutive victory at Laurel Park without defeat.

However, people have been doubting Barbadian Runner all his life, and he has made $730,630 by proving them wrong.

The three-year-old gelding from Barbados, who was purchased as a yearling for $5,000, saved ground in a loose pocket as Blue Kingdom shook away an unchallenged lead. The pace wasn’t fast, with Blue Kingdom controlling splits of 24.98, 50.31 and 1:15.14.

Meanwhile, Post Time settled into his usual spot at the back of the pack, seemingly biding his time, waiting to strike.

Barbadian Runner (center) with Post Time on the inside. (Jim Duley/TMJC)
Barbadian Runner (center) with Post Time on the inside. (Jim Duley/TMJC)

Jockey Forest Boyce was aboard the Barbadian Runner and decided it was time to attack Blue Kingdom on the second turn. She relaxed her mount outside the pacer and confronted him in the upper area.

By going off the rail, Sheldon Russell was able to save valuable ground with Post Time, and the heavy favorite stormed in to the roar of the crowd.

Barbadian Runner stuck his head out in the eighth pole, but Post Time seemingly had a lot of momentum. They locked horns at the sixteenth post, and Barbadian Runner found another gear. He averted Post Time and had a three-quarter lead on the fast main circuit in 1:51.09.

Blue Kingdom finished a further 1 ¾ lengths behind in third place. Hittheroadjak, All the Hardways and Mugatu were next. Secret zipper, holy thunder and feeling Woozy scratched.

Barbadian Runner returned $14.60 to win as a distant second choice in the betting.

After the race, Boyce interrupted an interview to hug winning trainer Henry Walters.

Although she has 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 great.”

“He’s tough,” Walters told reporters. “He just loves to run with horses. You give him a target and he chases it, or he digs in. That’s how he runs comfortably.”

Despite Post Time’s fearsome reputation, Walters had confidence in the process.

“At the eighth pole I knew he wouldn’t let anyone pass him,” he said.

This was Barbadian Runner’s first race at 1 1/8 miles. In his final preparation, he won the $500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes at Charles Town on August 22.

Forest Boyce was delighted with the victory. (Jim Duley/TMJC)
Forest Boyce was delighted with the victory. (Jim Duley/TMJC)

‘If you had asked me three or four months ago, I would have said it [nine furlongs] was not within his limits,” admitted Walters, who said Barbadian Runner is “by far” the best horse he has ever trained. “The Charles Town race was seven-eighths for three-year-olds. He beat some pretty good horses, and he couldn’t blow a match after the race, so you knew there was more in the tank. He just got better and better.”

Barbadian Runner is a son of Barbados out of Quiet Run, an unraced daughter of Northern Afleet.

“He surprised me from day one,” Walters admitted. “When we bought him, we never thought he would turn out to be so good. He has gotten better every time. He is much more talented than his breeding would indicate,” Walters said. “He is a throwback to the past.”

Indeed he is. Since his debut, a fourth-place finish on June 30, 2024, Barbadian Runner has raced 16 times. After placing two stakes at seven furlongs last year, he started on the right hoof this year by taking the Spectacular Bid Stakes on January 25. The following month he took 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 straight stakes before winning the Robert Hilton Memorial.

“He has matured tremendously from a year ago,” Walters said. “He’s a great horse to train.”

Other winners on the Maryland Million Day card.

Around the track … … …. …..

All sources for Jim McKay Maryland Million Day were $5,707,201A 22.5% increase compared to the 2024 program. The average stake per race was $475,600 compared to $388,333 a year ago. Apprentice jockey Yedsit Hazlewood four races on the card, including the first two victories 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 Keef, Robbie BailesAnd Gary Capuano each saddled two winners… JockeyJorge Ruiz two races caught…Great ideathe winningest active stallion in Jim McKay Maryland Million history, has produced three winners…

Mosler produced two winners.


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