Maryland two-year-olds flock to Ocean Downs

The ‘Future Hope’ and ‘Go Get Lost’ series for two year olds at Ocean Downs has proved to be very popular with a full field of trotters and four harness racing dashes for pacers.

On Thursday July 14^th the only division of the Go Get Lost series for trotters went to post as race 2 with a mixed field of colts/geldings and fillies. K J Todd (Trixton) avenged his loss to Miss Norissa (Gregory Pecs) in the first round when he circled the field stopping the clock a head in front of last week’s winner in 2:02.3 last quarter in 28.3 on the half mile oval. K J Todd is owned and bred by Pamela Wagner, trained by John Wagner and driven by Russell Foster.

The 1st division of the Future Hope for Pacers was in race 3. Spicy Tuna (Delmarvalous) stepped out from post 5 to control all the fractions finishing two lengths ahead of the place horse Lloyd’s Loves (Rusty’s All In) tripping the timer in 2:01.3. Spicy Tuna is driven, trained and owned David Rearic and was bred by Winbak Farm.

In the second split for the freshman pacers, race 4, Antaeus (Heston Blue Chip) remains undefeated, scoring his third win for driver-trainer-owner Chuck Perry Jr., Best Bet Stables LLC is the breeder. Night Terror (Badlands Hanover) was second again this week. The mile was clocked in 1:58.4.

The 3^rd division of pacers went to post as race 5 with Jessie’s Rockin (Heston Blue Chip) scoring the big upset over heavily favored Naked Truth (Lazarus N) in the last stride to win by a neck coming from the back of the pack in the 1:59.1 mile. Trae Porter was between the wheels for co-owners-breeders Kasey Bendix and Virginia Marvel, Bendix is also the trainer.

The final split of the Future Hope series saw a repeat of last week when Val’s Gal (Rusty’s For Real) scored her second victory over Reachin For Heaven (Lazarus N) dropping her mark to 2:00. Val’s Gal is owned by Leblanc Racing, Wm. Lutz Jr. and Count De Money Stable. Roger Plante Jr. was between the wheels for trainer Steve LeBlanc. The breeder is Tom and Linda Winebrener.

Finals of the Go Get Lost and Future Hope will be on Thursday July 21^st.

The first week of the Marlin Claiming Series went to post as races 8 & 9 with Coach Loman taking the first division for driver Trae Porter and Ata Racing LLC and trainer Mike Hall. Two horses went to new barns, Fire Light to the Joe Columbo stable and Lifewithjohn going to the John Wagner Stable.

Smileandsaycheese  won the second division for the Oglesby Stable and was claimed by Chris Devine.

The second leg of the Marlin Claiming series continues on Thursday July 21^st.

For complete race results, click here.

by Cheri Stambaugh, for the Maryland Standardbred Fund