BERLIN, Md. — Richard Hans’ homebred 2-year-old trotting colt Yall Keep Dreaming (Yall Beneath Me-Upside Blue Chip) was never in doubt in Sunday’s (Aug. 18) $10,000 Maryland Sire Stakes preliminary at Ocean Downs, coasting to a 2:04.3 decision over a pair of John Wagner trainees for his second harness racing victory in as many starts in his young career.
With Johnathan Ahle at the lines, Yall Keep Dreaming strode to a clear lead from the pole, seating Swervingmervin in the pocket through a :30.2 first quarter. The pair remained uncontested from there, rating middle splits of 1:02.2 and 1:34 before using a :30.3 last quarter to evade runner-up Magoo Will Do, who inherited the second spot from a breaking Swervingmervin, by 3-1/2 lengths.
Hans also trains the colt, who has banked $28,300 in his career after also winning a Maryland Standardbred Race Fund event in his Aug. 4 debut.
John Wagner trainee Brooksforreal (Rusty’s For Real-Brooks Range) took top honors among 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings, drawing 6-1/4 lengths clear of stablemate More Medhurst for a 1:58.1 score in their $10,000 Maryland Sire Stakes split. Thomas K finished third. Corey Braden drove the gelding for owner Kelsey Wager. He paid $2.40 to win.
Rusty’s Lancelot (Rusty’s For Real-Majorconstellation) and driver Eric Davis captured the other split with a 4-3/4-length, 1:59.2 win over Classic Cougar and Whosabrat. Jerry Nock trains the gelding for owner-breeder Andrew Scheller. He paid $2.20 to win.
In the $12,000 Open Handicap Pace, On The Cards N (Bettor’s Delight) ground forward to his second consecutive win, striking the front on the far turn and evading a late bid from Bipbopnallie to prevail by a neck in 1:52.2. Ahle drove the 9-year-old gelding, whom Willard Reynolds trains for Mark Howard, to his 33rd career victory. He paid $10.20 to win.
Ahle and William Carter enjoyed driving triples on the night, Trae Porter and Jonathan Roberts both fashioned doubles.
Racing returns to Ocean Downs with a 12-race card on Wednesday (Aug. 21) featuring a trio of $10,000 Maryland Sire Stakes preliminary events for 2-year-old fillies and a $9,500 Preferred Handicap Trot. First post is 7:05 p.m.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
From Ocean Downs