"Maryland's Horse" successfully defends his crown in the $150,000 Maryland Million Classic Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles, delighting a large crowd that came to cheer and bet on the popular 4-year-old gelding Oct. 24 at Laurel Park.
Steve Asmussen led the field with 12 winners for his fourth leading trainer title. Among owners, Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables and Joel Politi tied with three wins each.
Hymn put forth what his conditioner deemed a career-best move, drilling 4 furlongs in :46 3/5 Oct. 24 to lead a packed slate of Breeders' Cup breezers on the day at both Keeneland and Churchill Downs.
Bottas has found his niche as a late-running miler on the turf. For the third straight race, the Vekoma colt won a stakes race under such conditions, with his latest triumph coming Oct. 24 in the Bryan Station Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland.