A compact but talented field is set to contest the G3 Maryland Sprint Stakes this Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course. The six-furlong dash on the dirt, carded as Race No. 4 with a post time of 12:16 pm ET, carries a purse of $150,000 and has attracted some notable sprinters.
Leading the charge and likely favorite is the rapidly improving Booth, who has been in scintillating form this year. Hot on his heels will be the consistent Concrete Glory, a seasoned campaigner with a penchant for finding the winner’s circle.
The $150,000 Maryland Sprint Stakes, for three-year-olds and upward, promises an exciting clash of speed and class. The race is also a Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series Race, offering incentives for the top finishers towards entry fees for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint later in the year.
With a field of seven runners, handicappers will be looking closely at recent form and track prowess to determine who will take home the coveted trophy.
The Field
Here’s a brief look at each of the runners vying for glory in the G3 Maryland Sprint Stakes:
1. S S Sinatra (20/1) Owned by 3 Reasons Racing and trained by Kerry Hohlbein, this 5-year-old gelding by Desert Party has shown a renewed vigor since returning to dirt racing. He captured an OC 40k/N2X-N at Laurel Park in his last start on March 29, 2025, showing determination after bobbling at the start. Prior to that, he was a game second in the Not For Love Stakes at Laurel Park.
While he’s stepping into deeper waters here, his recent form, including a near miss in a restricted stakes, suggests he’s a better horse now than earlier in his career. His two previous starts at Pimlico were underwhelming, but those were early in his career.
2. Prince of Jericho (6/1) A 5-year-old horse by Munnings, trained by Brittany T. Russell for Michael Dubb & Morris Bailey. Prince of Jericho was third in this race last year and certainly isn’t out of his depth. He won the Fire Plug Stakes at Laurel Park in January 2025 but faded to third in the General George Stakes in his subsequent start in February after being hounded on the lead in muddy conditions.
He’s been given time off since, a pattern that has worked for him before. If the layoff has him back to his best, he can be a factor, though his Beyer figures did dip slightly over the winter.
3. Celtic Contender (8/1) – This 4-year-old colt by Irish War Cry is trained by Hamilton A. Smith for Lewis Family Racing Stable. He possesses the speed to be forwardly placed and has consistently held his own against similar company on this circuit.
He was last seen finishing a game second in a tough sprint on March 14, chasing Book’em Danno, who subsequently ran a huge race in the G1 Churchill Downs. Freshened since that effort, his string of sharp workouts indicates he’s ready for a strong return. He won the Howard and Sondra Bender Stakes at Laurel Park in December 2024.
4. Ninetyprcentmaddie (15/1)– A 5-year-old gelding by Weigelia, trained by Robert E. Reid Jr. for LC Racing LLC. While his last win was back in October 2023, he has put in several good performances since, including being Grade 3 and multiple Grade 2 placed.
However, his form tailed off after last summer, followed by a lengthy layoff and a so-so return at Philadelphia Park in early May 2025, where he finished third in an OC 100k/NC-N. The quick return to the track is encouraging, but he’ll need to rediscover his ‘A’ game to contend here.
5. Concrete Glory (2/1) – Trained by Saffie A. Joseph Jr. for Big Frank Stable, this 6-year-old gelding by Bodemeister is a model of consistency, having won 15 of his 35 starts. He was a game second in the Gulfstream Park Sprint in February, beaten by Super Chow (who won this race last year). Prior to that, he impressively won an OC 62k/N2X-N at Gulfstream in January.
He possesses loads of speed and has maintained sharp form for over two years, with a significant win at Churchill Downs proving he’s not just a Gulfstream specialist. His ability to get close to last year’s Maryland Sprint winner suggests he’s a major player.
6. Booth (7/5) The morning line favorite, this 4-year-old colt by Mitole is trained by Steven M. Asmussen. He’s vaulted into the sprint elite with his performances at Oaklawn Park this winter and spring, boasting the two best Beyer Speed Figures in this field.
He comes into this race on a three-race winning streak, including victories in the Whitmore Stakes (G3) and the Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn. While those wins came at Oaklawn, he also has impressive victories at Churchill Downs and Keeneland, showing his versatility. He can win on the lead or from just off the pace, making him a formidable opponent.
7. Epic Ride (5/1) Trained by John Ennis for Welch Racing LLC, this 4-year-old colt by Blame has done his best work on synthetic surfaces but has shown dirt talent. He was third in the Perryville Stakes (G3) at Keeneland last fall, earning a 97 Beyer. He recently finished fourth in the Commonwealth (G3) at Keeneland in April after pressing a very fast pace.
All four of his career wins have come when he was on or very near the lead, a position that might be tough to secure in this field. However, he possesses talent, has been working sharply, and attracts top jockey Flavien Prat.
Win, Place, Show, Wildcard, and Longshot
Win: (6) Booth (7/5) – His recent form and top Beyer figures are hard to ignore. He’s shown he can win on different tracks and either on the lead or from a stalking position, making him the horse to beat.
Place: (5) Concrete Glory (2/1) – A proven winner who consistently fires. He was second to a very good horse in his last start (Super Chow, last year’s winner of this race) and has the speed to be right there with Booth. His experience and grit make him a strong candidate for the runner-up spot.
Show: (7) Epic Ride (5/1) – While his best form is on synthetic, his dirt races at Keeneland show he has the class for this level. With Flavien Prat up and sharp works, he could hit the board if he handles the Pimlico surface and gets a decent trip despite the potential for a hot pace.
Wildcard: (3) Celtic Contender (8/1) – He was chasing a top-class sprinter in Book’em Danno last time out and held his own. Freshened and working bullets, he could surprise if the top favorites falter or get into a destructive speed duel. His forward style could see him in the mix from the start.
Longshot: (1) S S Sinatra (20/1) – He’s shown improved form recently and nearly won a stakes race at Laurel a couple of months ago. If he can translate his recent Laurel form to Pimlico and continue his upward trajectory, he might sneak into the exotics at big odds.
Race Info
- Race: #4, Grade 3 – Maryland Sprint Stakes
- Date: Saturday May 17, 2025
- Scheduled Post Time: 12:16 PM ET
- Location: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, MD
- Distance: Six Furlongs on Dirt, Track Record: 1:07.3
- Conditions: Three-year-olds And Upward
- Purse: $150,000
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