Presidentialaffair is expected to defend his title in the Maryland Million Classic on October 8 at Laurel Park and attempt to become the fourth horse to win back-to-back editions of the headliner for the 12-race Maryland Million card.

Last year, Presidentialaffair powered clear to a 1 3/4-length to win the 1 3/16-mile dirt race for three-year-olds and older sired by Maryland-based stallions. In 2003, repeat winner Docent nosed out Presidentialaffair to win the Maryland Million Classic.

Other repeat winners of the Maryland Million Classic are Timely Warning in 1990 and '91 and Algar in '97 and '98.

The Maryland Million, a program for offspring of Maryland-based stallions, began in 1986. Purses and awards for this year's card will rise from $1-million to $1.5-million with an approximate first post time of 12:35 p.m. EDT.