Maryland becomes millionaire with Breeders Crown triumph

Maryland and Dunn left from post two and were out-sprinted in the early stages as Maximus Mearas S and driver Scott Zeron vaulted to the early lead and seated Emoticon Legacy in the pocket. David Miller had Super Chapter parked and pressing, and that pair took charge through the :27.3 first quarter.

Louis Roy, driving Emoticon Legacy, was anxious and moved on the backstretch to gain control three-eighths of a mile into the race, followed closely by Dunn with the favored Maryland. The pace was moderate, and Dunn strolled to the lead past the :56 half.

Dunn and Maryland were quickly joined by Go Dog Go and Todd McCarthy, who applied severe pressure to get level with the leader through three-quarters in 1:24.3.

Dunn called on Maryland in the homestretch, and the Marcus Melander-trained colt dug in gamely — at times throwing his head in response to urging. That was good enough to stall Go Dog Go’s bid to his outer flank, but Maryland soon found company along the pylons as early leader Maximus Mearas S came charging boldly in the final yards. The wire arrived in time for Maryland, who used :27.1 closing speed to preserve his lead and leave Maximus Mearas S a neck short of the upset. Go Dog Go finished a well-earned third with Blank fourth across the wire.

For Maryland, bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and owned by the partnership of Courant Inc., PCW Racing, Holly Lane Stud East, and Steve Stewart and Robin Thorn Stables, the victory sewed up his championship season but will not be his last race of the year.

“We’re going to bring him back for the Kindergarten final here (at the Meadowlands) in a couple of weeks, and that will be his last start,” said Melander.

It was the second Breeders Crown victory of the night for Dunn.

Maryland paid $3.60 as the public choice.

A LITTLE MORE: Six drivers recorded driving doubles on the program: Todd McCarthy, Dexter Dunn, Ronnie Wrenn Jr., Scott Zeron, Dave Miller and Geovany Hernandez. Hernandez swept the late double after taking both Meadowlands Amateur Driving Club races. The double returned $240.00 after Hernandez recorded his first two wins ever at The Big M. … Motivated by a carryover of just under $11,000, a total pot of $66,189 was up for grabs in the 20-cent Pick-6, and after a sequence that saw winner’s odds of 4-5, 25-1, 8-1, 1-5, 6-1 and 12-1, winning tickets were exchanged for $57,879.60. … All-source handle on the 14-race card totaled $3,369,424, the 43^rd time this year from 68 programs that Big M betting bettered the $3-million mark. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m. and features eight Breeders Crown finals. … Can’t make it to the track? Catch all of the action on Fox Sports 2 (FS2) from 7:30-11 p.m.