Maryland Sire Stakes held at Ocean Downs

BERLIN, Md. — Maryland Sire Stakes spring harness racing champions Tony Babe (Rusty’s For Real-Aunt Babe) and Geralds A Keeper (Lockkeeper-Brilliance Hanover) both found their way back to the Ocean Downs winner’s circle in Sunday’s (July 14) $10,000 second-round splits of the Maryland Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings — the former after tasting defeat in round one; the latter on the strength of a building win streak.

In the pacing division, Tony Babe, who sustained a mild bid for a no-match second to Cloggs For Real in the first round, used his inside position to protect the early lead and control splits of :27.4 and :58.2 over Cloggs For Real, who settled in the pocket after leaving from the outside in the four-horse field.

When Cloggs For Real broke stride up the backstretch, Tony Babe and driver Jonathan Roberts saw their lead increase to four lengths, and they increased it to 4-1/2 at the end of a 1:56.1 mile. Cloggs For Real reset to finish second, but he was disqualified to fourth after his miscue interfered with both Petes For Real, who was elevated to second; and The Editor, who was elevated to third.

Ronald Short owns, trains and bred three-time winner Tony Babe, a gelding who returned $3.80 to win and has now banked $69,525 in his career.

The trotting division saw Geralds A Keeper earn his fourth consecutive win, rolling to the front from his outside post six and never looking back. Trae Porter controlled soft splits of :30.3, 1:01.2 and 1:31.1 with the gelding before 3-5 K J Dash emerged out of third on the far turn to bid for the lead.

Geralds A Keeper held his ground and prevailed over K J Dash by 1-1/4 lengths in 2:00.3. War Pony finished third, beaten five lengths, after gapping the pocket in the homestretch.

John Wagner trains Geralds A Keeper, who has won five times and earned $79,170, for owner Kelsey Wagner. He paid $4.40 to win.

Driver Tony Morgan swept both Open events, winning the $12,000 Open 1 Handicap Pace with On The Cards N ($2.80), who held off a late challenge from Rhythm Of The Rein by three-quarters of a length in 1:54 for trainer Willard Reynolds; and $10,000 Open 2 Pace with Photobombr Hanover ($4.20), who scored his fifth win in a row by holding off Babes All In in 1:54.1 for trainer Basil Sapienza.

Morgan’s four wins on the 12-race card led all drivers, while John Wagner notched a training hat trick.

Racing returns to Ocean Downs on Tuesday (July 16), with a 13-race card headlined by a pair of second-round divisions of the Bucky Gray Jr. Memorial for 2-year-old pacers. First post is 7:05 p.m.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

From Ocean Downs Media