Cloggs For Real unclogging road blocks in 2024

Cloggs For Real (Rusty’s For Real) won his opening Maryland Sires Stakes Leg in 2023 as a two-year old and looked poised for a big freshman harness racing campaign. Then, like some young athletes, immaturity and soundness issues cost him that potential almost immediately.

He managed $41,200 in ten starts, but won only twice, and his best finish was a third in the $85,000 final at Ocean Downs in September.

In his first two starts of 2024, he has clearly stamped himself as the favorite heading into Next Tuesday’s final, as he won handily Tuesday night (May 7) at Rosecroft Raceway for the second straight week, taking his $10,000 Preliminary leg for Corey Braden in 1:53.3.

Cloggs For Real is owned and bred by Pamela Wagner and is trained by John Wagner.

CLOGGS FOR REAL REPLAY

In the three-year old colt and gelding trot, Gerald’s A Keeper (Lockkeeper) turned the tables on his stable mate, and dominant force among the group, KJ Dash, winning in 1:58.1 for Trae Porter. KJ Dash, had only lost once in seven tries against MDSS competition coming into Tuesday night. John Wagner trains for owner-breeders Pamela Wagner and Scott Woogen. He is now two-for-three in 2024 and set a new mark in the process.

GERALD’S A KEEPER REPLAY

Fancy Like That (Rusty’s For Real), the defending filly pace champion from 2023 has been terrific in each of the last two weeks and is the clear favorite for next week’s top prize. Johnathan Ahle, who leads the Rosecroft dash standing with two nights remaining, guided the filly to an easy eight and one-quarter length victory in 1:56. Kasey Bendix owns and trains the filly with Virginia Marvel.

FANCY LIKE THAT REPLAY

Porter won with Lloyd’s Loves (Rusty’s All In) in the $10,000 Open for pacing mares in 1:51.3, halting a two-race win streak for second place finisher Grace Rocks. The four-year-old mare is now five-for-six since being claimed on March 12, by trainer Michael Hall for owners William MacMillan and Chris Devine.

Jonathan Roberts and Foster won three times on Tuesday night, while Ahle, Porter, and Braden all won twice. Wagner and Eli Scott each had two training wins and WIlliam Carter had driving win and a training win, as his Dad, Billy, won with Bluebird Ina for his son in a lifetime best 1:54.4.

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

by Peter Medhurst, for Rosecroft Raceway