Maryland Million Picks for All Races This Weekend (Oct 24)
Before the attention switches to Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup, there is the biggest day of horse racing action this season at Laurel Park to look ahead to. A total of 150 horses have been entered to run across 12 races on the Maryland Million Day in Laurel, with a total prize fund of $1 million up for grabs across the card.
It ranks as one of the highest single days in attendance and wagering for Laurel Park, and it ranks second only to Preakness Stakes Day in terms of prize money distributed in Maryland on a single day. You can find our Maryland Million Day picks for this Saturday below.
How to Watch Maryland Million Day
- When: Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 11:15 AM ET
- Where: Laurel Park, Maryland, USA
- How to Watch: FanDuel TV
Maryland Million Day Horse Racing Schedule & Picks
| Race | Time | Maryland Million Day Picks |
|---|---|---|
| Starter Handicap | 11:15 AM ET | Brighty |
| Maryland Million Sprint Stakes | 12:29 PM ET | Celtic Contender |
| Starter Handicap | 12:58 PM ET | Amazing Bernie |
| Maryland Million Ladies Stakes | 1:27 PM ET | Precious Avery |
| Maryland Million Lassie Stakes | 1:54 PM ET | Olivia’s Legacy |
| Maryland Million Turf Sprint Stakes | 2:23 PM ET | World On Fire |
| Maryland Million Distaff Stakes | 2:52 PM ET | Divine Seeker |
| Starter Handicap | 3:22 PM ET | Gift of Gab |
| Maryland Million Nursery Stakes | 3:51 PM ET | Call It |
| Maryland Million Turf Stakes | 4:20 PM ET | Thundering |
| Maryland Million Classic Stakes | 4:49 PM ET | Derbyness |
| Starter Allowance | 5:18 PM ET | Yes Picnic |
ALSO SEE: Breeders’ Cup Classic Picks, Odds, Leading Contenders, Betting Insights & Analysis
How to Bet On Our Maryland Million Day Picks
These are the best sportsbooks for US bettors to place wagers on horse racing at Laurel Park:
Our Best Maryland Million Day Picks
Thundering (R10 Maryland Million Turf Stakes)
The feature on the turf this weekend is the Maryland Million Turf Stakes, run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles. Thundering would rank as one of my best Maryland Million Day picks this Saturday for the Derek Ryan team. The four-year-old is already proven in better company, and boasts winning course and distance form after landing the Japan Racing Association Turf Cup Stakes in June.
Was stepped up in grade following that display, running with credit when third in the G2 United Nations behind Program Trading and Uncle’s Gold. Easily bounced back to winning form last time when easing clear of the field to land the Find Stakes at Colonial Downs.
Derbyness (R11 Maryland Million Classic Stakes)
My next best on Maryland Million Day runs in the Classic Stakes. I’m a huge fan of Brittany Russell, and I believe her runners are typically overlooked in the betting.
Derbyness was last seen finishing a very close second over a mile at Laurel Park, but the son of Hoppertunity is much better suited to a longer distance, reflected after winning over 1 1/16 miles on two occasions earlier this year at Laurel. He is ground versatile, having won on a muddy track, as well as fast ground. The wide draw shouldn’t impact his chances negatively, as he will likely find a spot off the pace before making his challenge in the home stretch.
World On Fire (R6 Maryland Million Turf Sprint Stakes)
An outsider to consider when making Maryland Million picks this weekend runs in the Turf Sprint Stakes. World On Fire is trained by Roy Peacock Jr and has thrived since running over the minimum trip at Laurel Park this season.
He was an excellent winner of an allowance last time, hitting a HRN speed figure of 120. That was his best showing based on figures to date, and a key reason for that was a change in tactics. Confidence within the camp will be high after winning on back-to-back starts over course and distance. This is a step up, but he looks in career-best form and shouldn’t be overlooked at massive odds.
