Diane ‘Mum’ Stevenson Memorial kicks-off

BERLIN, Md. — Harness racing driver Russell Foster and trainer Crissy Crissman-Bier combined to win two of Thursday’s (July 11) four $7,500 first-round divisions of the Diane ‘Mum’ Stevenson Memorial Series, for $7,500 claiming pacers, at Ocean Downs.

Foster teamed Crissman-Bier trainee Southwind Dredge (Bettor’s Delight) to a 1:55.4 win in the second division for P T Stable, but the pair had an eventful journey to the winning post. The 7-year-old gelding sustained his first-over ascent up the backstretch but was shoved three-wide as leader Point Place drifted off the pegs at three-quarters in 1:25.3. Southwind Dredge was headed by pocket rival Bit Of Luck — who inherited the inside path — turning for home but battled back to prevail by a head and return $11.40 to win.

Hundie N’s (Bettor’s Delight) 1:57.1 win in the fourth division proved much less eventful and capped a series double for his trainer and driver. Sent off the prohibitive 1-9 favorite, the 10-year-old gelding coasted unopposed through splits of :28.1, :58.4 and 1:28.2 before using :28.4 late speed to edge 2-1/4 lengths clear of Norm At Work for owner Wade Wyatt. Hundie N paid $2.20 to win.

Also victorious in series action were Candys Image Rocks ($2.80, William Carter), who turned aside sustained pressure from Luckisontheway before widening his lead to 1-3/4 lengths at the end of a 1:55.4 mile for trainer Jamie Vance; and Sweet Lil ($23.80, Trae Porter), who sat patiently in third before accelerating late to nab Cntnobdytelmenothn in 1:55.4 for trainer Jason Skinner.

Foster led all drivers with four wins on the 12-race card while meet-leading reinsman Johnathan Ahle posted a triple. Nicole Ratledge joined Crissman-Bier with a training double.

Live racing returns to Ocean Downs on Sunday (July 14) with a 12-race card headlined by the second round of the Maryland Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings. First post is 7:05 p.m.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

From Ocean Downs