Maryland Million Moments: A Final Challenge to La Reine Terms * The Racing Biz

This week we will conduct a series of 10 Maryland Million Moments, indelible moments that helped define the meaning of Maryland’s Day at the Races. Here old man La Reine’s Terms returns from a year’s layoff for one final victory in the Maryland Million Turf.

When La Reine’s Terms stepped onto the grass court at Laurel Park on October 15, 2005, few knew they were about to witness the final, triumphant chapter of the career of a remarkable Maryland player. The 10-year-old son of Private Terms hadn’t raced in a year, not since finishing third in the 2004 Maryland Million Turf, but class and heart never fade.

Under jockey Jeremy Rose, La Reine’s conditions settled just off the pace and made his move around the final bend. Three wide and riding, he surged forward in mid-stretch and, fully extended, held tight to the wire, winning by three-quarters of a length from Turf winner Dr. 2004 Detroit in 1:51.60 for 1 1/8 miles.

The victory was a fitting encore. It marked his second Maryland Million Turf win – the first came three years earlier, in 2002 – and capped a career marked by consistency and courage. Trained by Larry Murray for Sondra and Howard Bender, La Reine’s Terms retired with 16 wins, five seconds and four thirds after 40 starts, earning $804,591. He was an eleven-time stakes winner.

“He showed up every time,” Murray said admiringly. “That’s all you can hope for in a horse. You knew you were going to take him there and he was going to give 100 percent.”

After a year’s absence, La Reine’s Terms returned for one final race – and one final moment of glory. In true veteran fashion, he showed up when it mattered most.