Thousand Watts Racing Stable’s Disputed Claim went to the front early and never looked back to win the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Maryland Million Starter Handicap at Laurel Park on Oct. 14, his third victory in a row.

One of two 3-year-olds to tackle older runners, the gelded son of Northview Stallion Station’s Golden Lad was the 3-1 second choice in the 11-horse field based on the strength of two consecutive victories, from which he was claimed both times. He broke his maiden for breeder Charles McGill by nine lengths at Laurel on Aug. 20 and was taken for $12,500 by Anthony Farrior. Next out, on Sept. 10, he won a non-winners of two by five and a half lengths and was claimed by Emanuel Geralis for $16,000.

 

Jevian Toledo, riding Disputed Claim for the first time, put his mount on the lead right away. He encountered mild early pressure from longshot Antipoison, but managed to clear that rival and get to the rail before hitting the first quarter mile in :22.82. He ran the half mile in :46.46 under minimal pressure and turned for home with a three-length lead. He was never seriously challenged and coasted in an easy winner, with favored Shady Munni (Friesan Fire) second and 9-year-old veteran Clubman (Not For Love), in his fifth Maryland Million appearance, third. The final time for seven furlongs over a dirt track labeled “wet fast” was 1:24.81.

 

Unraced at 2, Disputed Claim now sports a career record of 3-0-2 from nine starts, with earnings of $71,020. He’s out of the thrice-stakes-placed mare Weeper (Domestic Dispute), whose dam, Southern Friend, was purchased by McGill for $17,000 at the 2001 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling sale. Although Southern Friend didn't win in 20 starts, the Southern Halo mare produced four winners from five foals, the richest being $252,340-earner Weeper, whose stakes-placings included a second in the 2012 Maryland Million Ladies Stakes. 

 

Weeper has four winners from as many foals, including six-figure earners Atlantic Avenue (Any Given Saturday) and stakes-placed Cry No More (Great Notion). She has not had a reported foal since the death of her foal in 2021, a full-brother to Disputed Claim.