Maryland Sire Stakes underway at Rosecroft Raceway

Russell Foster and Only I Exist (Ya”ll Beneath Me), made it seven for eight lifetime as she won her seasonal harness racing debut in a non-wagering division of the Maryland Sires Stakes prelim competition Tuesday night (April 30) at Rosecroft Raceway in 1:59.

Richard Hans conditions the filly he bred and owns and has banked over $140,000. as she took home top prize in the first of two $10,000 preliminary legs.

Emily’s Locket finished second in her lifetime debut and is first horse to keep the margin of victory under 10 lengths against the current champion. Les Givens conditions and drives the trotting filly for Mike Brenton.

Last year, KJ Dash (Lockkeeper) was the dominant trotter in the Maryland Sire Stakes Freshman program for Colts and Geldings and laid down the gauntlet in his first mile of 2:02.4.

As War Pony labored on the lead in the stretch, KJ Dash and driver Victor Kirby, outsprinted the pocket sitting Gerald’s A Keeper to win in 1:58.1 for owners Pamela Wagner and Scott Woogen. John Wagner trains the winner who is now eight for 11 lifetime and winner of $162,809.

KJ DASH REPLAY

Fancy Like That, who won the last two-year-old MDSS Final in October, got back to her winning ways, easing to a 1:54.4 victory, picking up her second win in 2024. The filly had tuned up racing against some talented older mares with lukewarm results, had little trouble last night for drive Johnathan Ahle and trainer and breeders Kacey Bendix and Virginia Marvel.

FANCY LIKE THAT REPLAY

Last year, Cloggs For Real (Rusty’s For Real) showed a lot of talent and immaturity winning just two of ten races. One came in a MDSS prelim, and last night, the gelding, emulated his start of 2023 with a 1:53.2 upset for Corey Braden at 13-1. John Wagner trains the gelding for breeder and owner Pamela Wagner.

CLOGGS FOR REAL REPLAY

Justin Walters took the $10,000 Mares Open with Grace Rocks for Howard Taylor and trainer George Lange in 1:51.3.

Foster won four races on the card while Ahle and Frank Milby won twice. The Jackpot-Hi 5 was hit for $61207.95. Rosecroft will race live on Saturday with a first race post of 7:15 following the conclusion of the Kentucky Derby.

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

by Peter Medhurst, for Rosecroft Raceway