Unbeaten Val’s Girl makes it eight straight

Val’s Girl (Rusty’s For Real) made a great name for herself on the half mile at Ocean Downs during the summer, sweeping two harness racing preliminary legs and a $75,000 final.

Thursday (Sept. 29) night at Rosecroft Raceway, Val’s Girl improved to a perfect eight for eight on the year as she held off a game Spy’s Last Game in 1:56.

The freshmen filly was bred in Maryland by Tom and Linda Winebrenner, is owned by Leblanc Racing, William Lutz Jr., and Count D e Money Stable. Roger Plante drives the filly for trainer Steve LeBlanc.

“Hard to believe she’s better than she was at Ocean Downs, but she really took to the bigger track nicely” Plante said.

Joyces Real Honey (Rusty’s For Real), driven by Victor Kirby took the other 2YOFP division in a lifetime best for Victor Kirby in 1:56.1. Bryan Truitt trains and co-owns the filly with Teddy and Joyce Baker.

After a disappointing fifth in the $75,000 final at the Ocean, she was much better Thursday night.

“Bryan changed her rigging up and she was much much better. Literally driving her with two fingers” Kirby said.

In four non-betting $10,000 preliminaries, Russell Foster won with James Brown’s Terrys Watching (Charlie De Vie). He trotted to victory for the second time in four career starts, winning in 2:02.3.

Foster also scored a win with How Do You Goo (Googoo Gaagaa) in 2:01.4. Richard Hans is owner, trainer and breeder.

Smooth Rocket (Cam’s Rocket) made Foster a winner as an owner as he romped to a win in 1:54.1. He is now four for six in 2022 for trainer Megan Foster.

Jonathan Roberts set a new standard for freshmen filly trotters in the MDSS Program as Call Me Goo (Googoo Gaagaa) popped the pocket midway through the stretch to collar the leader Gollishness, to win in 1:56.3. Jason Skinner trains for the Graham Grace Stables.

“She was super. They came a big back half (:56.3) Roberts said.

Jared Moyer had three wins on the wagering card. Roger Plante, Trae Porter, and Roberts posted two wins each.

For complete race results, click here.

by Pete Medhurst, for Rosecroft Raceway