With the 2014 Maryland Million nearly at hand, we will take a look back at the 2013 edition, highlighting the winners and telling the stories.
It’s a Bang won his debut like a good thing, overwhelming a half-dozen rivals at Delaware Park to win by nine lengths.
That was on October 10; nine days later, the son of Great Notion, out of Explosive Prospect, an unraced daughter of Fortunate Prospect, showed up at Laurel Park for the six furlong, $100,000 Maryland Million Nursery.
For It’s a Bang, bred by Country Roads Ltd. and owned by Walter Vieser, II, it was a big step — but, said his trainer, a necessary one.
[boxify cols_use =”3″ cols =”6″ position =”right” box_spacing =”5″ padding =”3″ background_color =”gray” background_opacity =”10″ border_width =”1″ border_color =”blue” border_style =”solid” height =”150″ ]2013 MARYLAND MILLION NURSERY- It’s a Bang (Donald Barr/Walter Vieser II)
- Joint Custody (Jerry Robb/Konrad Wayson)
- Fran’s Buckaroo (Donovan Haughton/Chuckie Inc.)[/boxify]
“After his first performance, I have to go there [to the Maryland Million],” trainer Donald Barr said prior to the race. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be doing justice to the owner or the breeder.”
The horse — 29-1 in his debut — was just 2-1 on Maryland Million day, making him the second-favorite in a field of six. The race figured to come down to two horses: It’s a Bang and Joint Custody, trained by Jerry Robb.
When the gates opened, those two, along with longshot Olde Bay, hooked up in a speed duel that carried the three of them through a quarter mile in 22 flat and a half in 45 2/5 seconds. In the lane, Olde Bay could not keep the pace.
It’s a Bang and Joint Custody — at each other’s throats from the moment the gates opened — continued to slug it out until the late stages, with It’s a Bang prevailing by by 1 1/2 lengths over Joint Custody and another six back to Fran’s Buckaroo in third.
“I knew he would run well today,” Barr said. “All of us Maryland trainers want to win a race on Maryland Million day or Preakness day.”
IT’S A BANG file
- Breeding: Great Notion-Explosive Prospect, by Fortunate Prospect
- Race record: 6-2-0-1, earnings of $91,385
- Humans:
- Breeder Country Roads Ltd.
- Trainer Donald Barr
- Owner Walter Vieser, II
- Jockey Richard Monterrey
- For more:
