RUS trotters descend upon Ocean Downs

July 14, 2016 – Race fans attending the races Sunday evening (July 17) at Ocean Downs will be witnesses to a Racing Under Saddle event featuring a competitive field of eight trotters going for a purse of $5,000 in a race sponsored by Back On Track, Friends of Maryland Standardbreds, RUS America, and Ocean Downs.

The non-wagering event will take place after the evening's sixth race.

Leading the field is Hyway Marcus, who won this event last year at Ocean Downs in a crisp 2:02 mile. Being ridden by Maria Buchanan, the five-year-old trainee of Ron Burke prepped for this race with a qualifying victory at Gaitway Farms in 2:01.3 and will start Sunday night from post seven.

Hyway Marcus will be challenged by Iron Will starting from post position four who is victorious in three of four lifetime RUS contests. The ten-year-old gelded son by Credit Winner won July 8 at the Afton Fair in 2:11 after qualifying at Vernon Downs a week earlier in 2:02.1. Iron Will starts from post four.

Another one to watch is Jeanie Marie being ridden by Emma Wahlberg who won her RUS debut at the Oswego Fair in 2:07 over a good track on July 5. Prior to her victory at Oswego, she won her qualifier at Vernon Downs in 2:02. Jeanie Marie starts from post position two.

Making their debuts on the RUS circuit Sunday are Shanghai Jack, Mr Protab and No Recess. While Shanghai Jack finished second to Hyway Marcus in a Gaitway qualifier, Mr Protab and No Recess come into the race off of qualifying race victories.

The complete field for the Ocean Downs RUS event are:

$5,000 Trot – RUS

PP Horse – Trainer – Jockey

1 Shanghai Jack – Nick Surick – Helene Gregory

2 Jeanie Marie – Jennifer Sansone – Emma Wahlberg

3 My Friend Charliie – Andrea Pratt – Andrea Pratt

4 Iron Will – Jennifer Sansone – Heather Reese

5 Mr Protab – Francisco Del Cio – Stephanie Jacobs

6 No Recess – Kyle Spagnola – Michelle Crawford

7 Hyway Marcus – Ron Burke – Maria Buchanan

8 P L Incoming – Josh Green – Sasha Moczulski

After the race, there will be a meet and greet for fans to be able to meet the race riders. The estimated post time is 9:15.

by Allan Schott, for RUS America