Practical Joke’s Coringa Wins Maryland Million Turf

It was a winning stakes debut for Coringa (4g Practical Joke x Conspicuous, by Ghostzapper) on Saturday when he backed up a win last out with a victory in the Maryland Million Turf Stakes.

Racing over 1 1/8 miles on the turf after winning over just half a furlong less last out, Coringa seized control early as the race favorite. Angling from the outside position to take the rail spot, he was happy to set an easy pace down the backstretch despite some pressure.

Mychel Sanchez encouraged him around the turn and at the top of the stretch with Coringa responding by extending his lead. He had to feel the whip late but was still well ahead with a 1 ¼ length margin at the line.

Trained by Michael Trombetta for Clark Ohrstrom, Gregory Kilka, Awestrike Racing, and Ben Gowans, it was his fourth win of the year with the gelding finishing in the top two in eight of 10 2025 starts.

Bred by the late Larry Johnson, Coringa is one of five winners out of Conspicuous from eight to race. That mare has produced eight runners from eight of racing age as a four-time winner herself and is a half-sister to Grade II winner Independence Hall, Grade III winner Black Onyx, stakes winner Francois, and Grade II-placed Quality Control.

A full sister to Desert Stromer, his third dam is also the granddam of Grade I winner White Moonstone.

This is stakes winner number 14 on the year for Practical Joke, which puts him fifth on the General Sires list with his 35 stakes horses putting him third on the list.