Maryland two-year-olds battle at Ocean Downs

Ocean Downs hosted five Maryland Standardbred Fund (foaled) stakes for harness racing two year olds on Monday August 8^th.

In race 1, Victor Kirby piloted K J Alexander (What The Hill) to a perfect pocket trip, charging down the stretch to overtake Alonso (Father Patrick) by a nose in the first split for freshman trotting colts and geldings. John Wagner trains the winner for Pam Wagner and Scott Woogen. Woogen is also the breeder. Time for the mile was 2:03.

Owners Pam Wagner and Scott Woogen swept the trotting stakes when their K J Roberts (Lockkeeper) went wire to wire in the second division for the colts and geldings. Sultan of Sultans took the place spot. John Wagner was both the driver and trainer of K J Roberts and Woogen and Michael Ternishy are the breeders.

Val’s Girl (Rusty’s For Real) remains undefeated (4-4) in her freshman career winning the first division for filly pacers, lowering her record to 1:57.2. Val’s Girl charged up the backstretch to control the final quarter with Lloyd’s Loves (Rusty’s All In) coming in second. Roger Plante Jr. was between the wheels for trainer and co-owner Steve Leblanc, William Lutz Jr. and Count De Money Stable. The breeders are Tom and Linda Winebrener.

In the second split for the girls, Jonathan Roberts guided Sunny Pasadena (Heston Blue Chip) to a gate to wire victory in 1:58 over Jessie’s Rockin (Heston Blue Chip), Mike Hall is the trainer for owners Let It Ride Stable, Winbak Farm is the breeder.

The final stake of the night was the third division for the pacing fillies. Frank Milby picked up the driving assignment aboard the Erv Miller trainee Beantown Babe (Boston Red Rocks). Milby sent her flying out of the gate to control every marker in the 1:58 mile finishing 3 ½ lengths ahead of Covid Can’t Stop Me (Rusty’s For Real). Bowie Racing LLC is the owner and Winbak Farm the breeder.

The Maryland Standardbred Fund stakes for freshman continue on Wednesday Aug. 10^th at Ocean Downs.

For complete race results, click here.

by Cheri Stambaugh, for Ocean Downs