The second of two stakes races in the Saturday card at Laurel Park, the $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Champion Stakes looks on paper to be a two-horse race between Joint Custody, 7-5 in the morning line odds, and It’s A Bang, listed at 6-5. The race is open to two-year-old Maryland-breds, running seven furlongs in the dirt, and has drawn a field of eight starters, all carrying 120 pounds. Joint Custody has drawn the #4 post-position, while It’s A Bang will break from two spots further out in the gate.
It's A Bang holds the edge in past races
It’s A Bang only came to the races in October this year, and promptly blew away the field first time out, winning a maiden special weight event by more than nine lengths at odds of 30-1. Sent off at 2-1 just nine days later in the Maryland Nursery Stakes, he dueled with Joint Custody through the stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths. In mid-November he again finished ahead of Joint Custody by 5 1/4, but that effort was only good enough for third running in open company in the James F. Lewis Stakes.
Third choice taking a step forward
Of course, Joint Custody is hoping third time will be the charm in turning the tables on his rival. The key might be that he has put another race under his saddle since the James Lewis, a winning effort in the Marylander Stakes, also run at seven furlongs. If either of those two falter, 8-1 Fleet Gold Digger could be there to reap the rewards. Although stepping up to stakes level for the first time, he has won two starts in a row, and will be cutting back in distance from his last. Ready For Action (20-1) has graded-stakes experience, a seventh in the Grade I Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity.
The 2023 Preakness Stakes is coming up Saturday, May 20 at Pimlico! It is one of the most eagerly-awaited events of the racing year, and this is the place to […]
The Preakness Stakes is coming up on Saturday, May 15, 2021. The second jewel of the American Triple Crown drew a field of 10 top three-year-olds. Find out the top contenders in the race, and learn the best places to place your bets!
After all the drama of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, the racing scene shifts to Pimlico Race Course in anticipation of the running of the 2019 Preakness Stakes. A couple of the high-profile contenders from the Derby are expected in the field, as well as a number of new shooters that add to the handicapping puzzle and could provide good betting value.
The field has been established for the 2016 running of the Belmont Stakes and of the thirteen contenders, there are four horses who competed in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and are moving on to the third jewel of the Triple Crown.
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