Maryland police say they thwarted a $15,000...

Maryland police say they thwarted a $15,000 blackmail attempt on the owner of 1980 Horse of the Year Spectacular Bid by monitoring Harry Meyerhoff’s meeting with the alleged blackmailer.

Meyerhoff, who owned Spectacular Bid with his wife, Theresa, and son, Tom, retired his 1979 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner in a $22 million syndication.

Mark Andrew Shannahan, 19, of Easton, Md., was arrested and released on his own recognizance. Police would not say what charges were filed against Shannahan or how he allegedly tried to blackmail Meyerhoff.