Maryland-sired sophomores contest $75,000 finals

On Wednesday July 27^th, Ocean Downs hosted the sophomore Maryland Sire Stake Finals each going for a purse of $75,000 before a large harness racing crowd.

Hoofbeats De Vie (Charlie De Vie) and driver Russell Foster remain undefeated in the colt and gelding trot winning all six races each year at 2 & 3. In their usual style it was a gate to wire win in 2:01.3 for owner-breeder Joie De Vie Stable and trainer Chris Lakata. Tungsten Tim (Lockkeeper) was up for the place spot.

Reinsman John Wagner steered Anthony’s All In (Rusty’s All In) to his sixth victory in six starts all in Maryland Sire Stakes action in the colt and gelding pace, striding out to a six-length lead over stablemate Donny’s All In (Rusty’s All In) stopping the clock in 1:58.1. Pamela Wagner is the owner-breeder and Wagner is also the trainer.

In the final for filly pacers, longshot (12-1) Maleficent K (Rusty’s For Real) with Mark Gray between the wheels pulled the big upset going wire to wire in 1:58 on the Ocean oval. Grey Rocket (Cam’s Rocket) crossed in second. Maleficent K is also trained by Gray for owner-breeder Charles Marsh Jr.

The sophomore filly trotters went to post as an early non-wagering event prior to the evening card. Charlie’s Song (Charlie De Vie) picked up her 5^th win in six starts for owners LeBlanc Racing, Glenn Dyke, Count De Money Stable and William Lutz Jr., Steve LeBlanc trains the filly and regular driver Roger Plante Jr was in the bike. Glenn Dyke is the breeder.

The sires of all four winners stand at Tom and Linda Winebrener’s Fox Den Farm in Union Bridge, MD.

The Maryland Standardbred Fund Stakes for the three-year-old will be raced at Ocean Downs on Monday August 1^st and Wednesday August 3^rd.

For complete race results, click here.

by Cheri Stambaugh, for the Maryland Standardbred Breeders Fund