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MD-Based Cox Eyes First Maryland Million Win

Local trainer sends out Ain't Da Beer Cold in the Oct. 23 Classic at Laurel.

Ain't Da Beer Cold breaks his maiden last summer at Laurel Park

Ain't Da Beer Cold breaks his maiden last summer at Laurel Park

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club

Kenny Cox took out his trainer's license in 1987, the year after the Maryland Million was launched. Though based in Maryland throughout his career, which includes a pair of state meet titles and several stakes winners led by Flaming Emperor, he has yet to win a stakes on Maryland Million day.

Cox is hoping his luck will change this year that this year in the Oct. 23 $150,000 Maryland Million Classic Stakes at Laurel Park, with long shot Ain't Da Beer Cold, a 3-year-old gelding owned by Matt Spencer, Cox's wife Kelly Jo, and Charlie Bonuccelli.

The 1 1/8-mile Classic for 3-year-olds and up headlines a 12-race card featuring eight stakes and four starter stakes on 'Maryland's Day at the Races,' celebrating the progeny of stallions standing in the state.

On paper, Ain't Da Beer Cold was well-beaten in his only two starts this year, both sprints, the most recent coming Sept. 17 at Laurel. Listed at 20-1 on the morning line, he didn't open his sophomore season until Aug. 14 at historic Pimlico Race Course in a similar conditioned allowance, contested at six furlongs.

Cox, a native of Gallupville, Md., near old Bowie Race Course, delved deeper into Ain't Da Beer Cold's form and noted his success the only two times the son of Freedom Child went a route of ground, winning an open allowance optional claiming last November and being beaten a nose in the Howard County Stakes a month later, both going 1 1/16 miles at Laurel.

"It's not out of the question this horse could run real big in the Classic, actually," Cox said. "He's really training good. He's a route horse and last time it was a very disappointing effort the way he got eased. But, he's a horse that doesn't want dirt in his face. He kind of got some dirt and backed out. We did some bloodwork and he had some issues going on, and we addressed those.

"He worked the other day and (jockey) Angel (Cruz) came and worked him. I said if this horse works decent, then we'll run him in the Classic," he added. "He's never worked as good as he did (that day) in his entire career that I've had him, even as a baby when he was in his best form."

Ain't Da Beer Cold, bred by Spencer and Kelly Jo Cox, stumbled at the start of last year's Maryland Million Nursery and lost all chance, finishing eighth. Cruz has been enlisted to ride in the Classic from post 5.

"It would be big for everyone. This is what Maryland's about. It's the day. I've never really had live chances going in like I think I do this weekend so I'm pretty excited," Cox said. "I grew up 10 minutes from Bowie. The owner (Bonuccelli), he grew up in Bowie, so it's a big deal for us to be there and to have real live chance going into it.

Tappin Cat - AOC, Pimlico, August 13, 2021
Photo: Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Tappin Cat wins an allowance optional claiming race at Pimlico Race Course

Non Stop Stable's Tappin Cat, exiting his eighth career victory and first in a stakes, will put his three-race win streak on the line in the Classic, where he is the 6-5 program favorite. The 5-year-old Tritap gelding has been a model of consistency, finishing third or better in 20 of 27 lifetime starts and sitting less than $800 shy of $400,000 in purse earnings.

Having sprinted last summer and into the spring, Tappin Cat has thrived since being stretched out. In five straight starts at a mile or longer, Tappin Cat ran second twice before launching his current stretch of wins, capped by a victory in the Sept. 25 DTHA Governor's Day Handicap at Delaware Park.

Cash is King and LC Racing's Dream Big Dreams will be making his stakes debut and facing elders in the Classic. Trained by Brittany Russell, the 3-year-old son of Bandbox was a rallying half-length winner last out in a 1 1/16-mile open allowance over older horses Sept. 25 at Laurel.

Entries: Maryland Million Classic S.

Laurel Park, Saturday, October 23, 2021, Race 11

  • STK
  • 1 1/8m
  • Dirt
  • $150,000
  • 3 yo's & up
  • 4:57 PM (local)
PPHorseJockeyWgtTrainerM/L
11Dashing Lou (MD)Victor Rosales118Gary Capuano30/1
22Prendimi (NJ)Mychel J. Sanchez118Luis Carvajal, Jr.12/1
33Torch of Truth (MD)Julian Pimentel118Michael J. Trombetta4/1
44Crouchelli (MD)Leonardo Corujo118Robert S. Vukelic10/1
55Ain't Da Beer Cold (MD)Angel Cruz114Kenneth M. Cox20/1
66Dream Big Dreams (MD)Feargal Lynch114Brittany T. Russell4/1
77The Poser (MD)Horacio Karamanos118Hamilton A. Smith6/1
88Tappin Cat (MD)Jevian Toledo120Gary Capuano6/5
99Cordmaker (MD)Victor R. Carrasco122Rodney Jenkins1/1
1010McElmore Avenue (MD)Horacio Karamanos118Mary E. Eppler5/2
1111Closer Look (MD)UNKNOWN118Kieron Magee5/1
1212Dr. Ferber (MD)Mychel J. Sanchez114Gary C. Contessa20/1
1313Alwaysmining (MD)Keeneland Sales GraduateMychel J. Sanchez118Cathal A. Lynch7/2

Entries: Maryland Million Lassie S.

Laurel Park, Saturday, October 23, 2021, Race 3

  • STK
  • 6f
  • Dirt
  • $100,000
  • 2 yo Fillies
  • 12:41 PM (local)
PPHorseJockeyWgtTrainerM/L
11Dowser (PA)Raul Mena122Michael R. Matz9/2
22Luna Belle (MD)Horacio Karamanos122Hamilton A. Smith5/1
33Sparkle Sprinkle (VA)Xavier Perez122John J. Robb6/1
44My Thoughts (MD)Carol Cedeno122Tim Woolley20/1
55Buff My Boots (MD)J. D. Acosta122John E. Salzman, Jr.7/2
66Waterworks (MD)Feargal Lynch122Steven M. Asmussen3/1
77Sweet Gracie (MD)Kevin Gomez122A. Ferris Allen, III8/1
88Derby Julep (MD)Leonardo Corujo117John E. Salzman, Sr.30/1
99Moon Boss (MD)Jorge Ruiz117Cathal A. Lynch10/1
1010Jester Calls Nojoy (MD)Mychel J. Sanchez122Todd A. Pletcher4/5
1111Click to Confirm (MD)Angel Cruz122Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon7/2
1212She's Mo Better (MD)Mychel J. Sanchez122Cathal A. Lynch12/1
1313No More Mask (MD)UNKNOWN122John E. Salzman, Jr.30/1

Entries: Maryland Million Ladies S.

Laurel Park, Saturday, October 23, 2021, Race 4

  • STK
  • 1 1/8m
  • Turf
  • $100,000
  • 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
  • 1:15 PM (local)
PPHorseJockeyWgtTrainerM/L
11Holly's Lady (MD)Victor R. Carrasco118Sherene Bracho20/1
22Breviary (MD)Jevian Toledo118Kenneth M. Cox30/1
33Maldives Model (PA)Tyler Conner114Erin C. McClellan6/1
44Epic Idea (MD)Daniel Centeno118Michael Merryman8/1
55Tipsy Chatter (PA)Julio A. Hernandez114Elizabeth M. Merryman20/1
66Artful Splatter (MD)Carlos Eduardo Lopez118Kieron Magee12/1
77Misty's Banshee (MD)Kevin Gomez114Brittany T. Russell10/1
88I Love You (MD)Angel Cruz118Gary Capuano5/2
99Sally's Mustang (MD)Carol Cedeno114Mark J. Reid12/1
1010Fool Yourself (MD)Charlie Marquez114Claudio A. Gonzalez10/1
1111Amplio Esquema (MD)Feargal Lynch118Milan Milosevic15/1
1212Judi Blue Eyes (MD)J. D. Acosta118Claudio A. Gonzalez5/1
1313Brushing (MD)Wesley Ho118Bernard G. Dunham12/1
1414Awesome Jazz (MD)J. D. Acosta118Edwin W. Merryman8/1
1515Good Life Cider (MD)Jevian Toledo118Michael R. Matz6/1

Entries: Maryland Million Turf Sprint S.

Laurel Park, Saturday, October 23, 2021, Race 6

  • STK
  • 5 1/2f
  • Turf
  • $75,000
  • 3 yo's & up
  • 2:21 PM (local)
PPHorseJockeyWgtTrainerM/L
11Joseph (MD)Tais Lyapustina118Rodney Jenkins20/1
22Godlovesasinner (MD)Mychel J. Sanchez118Susan S. Cooney30/1
33Showtime Cat (WV)Fredy Peltroche118Timothy C. Grams20/1
44Sue Loves Barbados (MD)Feargal Lynch114Dale Capuano12/1
55Sky's Not Falling (MD)Victor R. Carrasco114Michael J. Trombetta5/1
66So Street (MD)Jaime Rodriguez118Jamie Ness3/1
77Love You Much (MD)Horacio Karamanos118A. Ferris Allen, III12/1
88Rock the Boat (MD)Forest Boyce114W. Robert Bailes8/1
99Grateful Bred (MD)Jevian Toledo120Madison F. Meyers7/5
1010Grand Skylark (MD)Kevin Gomez115Susan S. Cooney20/1
1111Can the Queen (MD)Angel Cruz119Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon15/1

Entries: Maryland Million Distaff S.

Laurel Park, Saturday, October 23, 2021, Race 7

  • STK
  • 7f
  • Dirt
  • $100,000
  • 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
  • 2:54 PM (local)
PPHorseJockeyWgtTrainerM/L
11Street Lute (MD)Xavier Perez118John J. Robb6/1
22Hello Beautiful (MD)Jevian Toledo122Brittany T. Russell2/5
33Coconut Cake (MD)Forest Boyce118Timothy L. Keefe20/1
44Whispering Pines (MD)Jorge A. Vargas, Jr.118Horacio DePaz8/1
55Fille d'Esprit (MD)UNKNOWN118John J. Robb12/1
66Malibu Beauty (MD)Jaime Rodriguez116Gary Capuano8/1
77Factorintheheat (MD)Keeneland Sales GraduateKevin Gomez118Mary E. Eppler20/1

Entries: Maryland Million Nursery S.

Laurel Park, Saturday, October 23, 2021, Race 8

  • STK
  • 6f
  • Dirt
  • $100,000
  • 2 yo
  • 3:26 PM (local)
PPHorseJockeyWgtTrainerM/L
11Buff Hello (PA)Charlie Marquez122Claudio A. Gonzalez6/1
22Vance Scholars (MD)Jorge Ruiz122Dale Capuano10/1
33Gallant Gold (MD)Leonardo Corujo122John E. Salzman, Sr.20/1
44Shady Munni (MD)Angel Cruz122Claudio A. Gonzalez12/1
55Local Motive (MD)J. D. Acosta122John E. Salzman, Jr.5/1
66Coastal Mission (WV)Arnaldo Bocachica122Jeff C. Runco8/1
77Under the Radar (MD)Aubrie Green122Cesar Nambo12/1
88All for Love (MD)Xavier Perez122John J. Robb20/1
99Good Idea (MD)Feargal Lynch122Jason DaCosta10/1
1010Mr. Mox (MD)Jaime Rodriguez122Jamie Ness9/2
1111Witty (PA)Carol Cedeno117Elizabeth M. Merryman30/1
1212Cynergy's Star (MD)Jevian Toledo122Kenneth M. Cox8/1
1313Bet On Bitz (MD)Christian Hiraldo122Anthony Farrior12/1
1414Free Sailin (WV)Horacio Karamanos122Jason DaCosta15/1
1515Al Loves Josie (MD)Xavier Perez117John J. Robb15/1
1616We B Shackin (MD)Keeneland Sales GraduateCarlos Marrero122Stacey R. Viands15/1

Entries: Maryland Million Turf S.

Laurel Park, Saturday, October 23, 2021, Race 9

  • STK
  • 1 1/8m
  • Turf
  • $100,000
  • 3 yo's & up
  • 3:57 PM (local)
PPHorseJockeyWgtTrainerM/L
11Cannon's Roar (MD)Charlie Marquez118Dale Capuano2/1
22Ravens Delight (PA)Jaime Rodriguez120Hugh I. McMahon15/1
33Benny Havens (MD)Jevian Toledo118Anthony Aguirre, Jr.20/1
44Johng (MD)Forest Boyce118Timothy L. Keefe10/1
55Somekindofmagician (MD)Angel Cruz120Gary C. Contessa9/2
66Trifor Gold (MD)Mychel J. Sanchez118Mark Shuman8/1
77Street Copper (MD)Julian Pimentel118Michael J. Trombetta5/1
88Nick Papagiorgio (MD)J. D. Acosta118Michael A. Lecesse5/1
99Pretty Good Year (MD)Jorge A. Vargas, Jr.118Kelly Rubley15/1
1010Up Against It (MD)Tais Lyapustina118Robin L. Graham30/1
1111Beltway Bob (MD)Jorge Ruiz118Gregory L. Wilson15/1
1212Robert's Luxury (MD)Kevin Gomez114Sean McDermott15/1
1313Who's Counting (MD)Keeneland Sales GraduateKevin Gomez114Sean McDermott20/1

Entries: Maryland Million Sprint S.

Laurel Park, Saturday, October 23, 2021, Race 10

  • STK
  • 6f
  • Dirt
  • $100,000
  • 3 yo's & up
  • 4:27 PM (local)
PPHorseJockeyWgtTrainerM/L
11Air Token (MD)J. D. Acosta118Jose Corrales12/1
22Valued Notion (PA)Xavier Perez120Rodney Jenkins20/1
33Fortheluvofbourbon (PA)Mychel J. Sanchez120Michael V. Pino2/1
44Whiskey and You (MD)Charlie Marquez118Roy M. Peacock, Jr.15/1
55Kenny Had a Notion (VA)Jorge Ruiz118Dale Capuano12/1
66Karan's Notion (MD)Yomar Orlando Ortiz118Nancy B. Heil10/1
77Double Crown (MD)Feargal Lynch118Thomas M. Amoss9/5
88Band On Tour (MD)Jevian Toledo118Gary Capuano4/1
99Jaxon Traveler (MD)Keeneland Sales GraduateFeargal Lynch118Steven M. Asmussen7/5
1010Whereshetoldmetogo (MD)UNKNOWN122Brittany T. Russell8/5
1111Abuelo Paps (MD)Angel Cruz118Marco P. Salazar15/1
1212Where Paradise Lay (MD)Mychel J. Sanchez118William Downing10/1