Maryland Sire Stakes Finals

Ocean City, MD – Ocean Downs hosted four Maryland Sire Stakes Finals for two year old harness racing pacers and trotters on cool and breezy Friday night Sept. 18th.

The opener was the $45,000 Hubert Jackson Memorial for trotting colts and geldings. Trents A Lock (Lockkeeper) was parked out, taking the lead from Sunshineonmyshoulder before the half with favorite Funnyfunnyriddle (Lockkeeper) taking the lead at the ¾ pole, leading to a stretch battle with Trents A Lock stopping the clock a half-length in front in the 2:04.2 mile. Jared Moyer was in the bike for trainer Arlene Cameron and owner-breeder Pamela Wagner.

The $45,000 Ronald C. "Doc" Banning Memorial for the trotting fillies went to post as race 3. Reinsman Montrell Teague tucked Pride Of Windswept (Charlie De Vie) in the pocket until the head of the stretch, crossing the wire in a stakes record mile of 2:01.1 a length and a quarter in front of a fast closing Paislees Future (Trainforthefuture). Pride of Windswept picked up her third win in four starts for her owners and breeders, 95 year old John Swart Jr, and his wife Sarah. Shaun Callahan was the trainer.

The pacing colts and gelding went to post in race 5 in the $45,000 Dale Massey Memorial. Driver Kim Vincent steered long-shot Whep (Rusty's For Real) to his first lifetime win in the 1:59.2 mile, four lengths ahead of Dream Weaver (Capitol Power) Whep is owned-trained-bred by Elwood Tignor.

The summer stakes season at Ocean Downs ended with the $45,000 W.W. "Pete" Shaw Memorial in race 6.

Wowie Zowie (Cam's Rocket) with Russell Foster between the wheels, came first over from fifth past the half to challenge the front running Sjs Special Kay (Russell Hanover). Wowie Zowie crossed the wire four lengths ahead in the 1:58.3 mile. Russell Foster is also the owner, Megan Foster the trainer and Michale Hans the breeder.

The Maryland stakes move to Rosecroft for the fall series starting Sept. 27.

By Cheri Stambaugh, for the Maryland Sire Stakes