Unbeaten Val’s Girl makes it six straight scores

Ocean City, MD – Ocean Downs hosted one Maryland Sire Stakes prelim for freshman harness racing colt and gelding trotters and three splits for filly pacers on Monday Aug. 29^th.

Sultan Of Sultans (Lockkeeper) with Trae Porter in the bike, changed tactics after two weeks of pocket trips and finishing second both times, the pair charged out of the gate to control every fraction in the 2:01.2 mile winning by 2 ¾ lengths over last week’s winner How Do You Goo (Googoo Gaagaa).  Sultan is owned, trained and bred by Arlene Cameron.

The first division for the two-year-old filly pacers was no surprise when Val’s Girl (Rusty’s For Real), with Roger Plante Jr. between the wheels, clicked off her sixth win in as many starts in the gate to wire victory in 1:59.

Susies R All In (Rusty’s All In) crossed in the place spot. Steve LeBlanc trains Val’s Girl for owners Leblanc Racing Inc., William Lutz Jr. and Count De Money Stable. Tom and Linda Winebrener are the breeders.

Covid Can’t Stopme (Rusty’s For Real) picked up her first win of the season after two place finishes in the second split for the filly pacers 1 ¼ length ahead of a tough Spy’s Last Game (Rusty’s For Real) in the 1:59.3 mile. Covic Can’t Stopme is owned and bred by William Bib Roberts, trained by Jason Skinner and driven by Jonathan Roberts.

Race six was the final stake of the night for the filly pacers. Joyces Real Honey (Rusty’s For Real) piloted by reinsman Victor Kirby went from zero to sixty at the ¾ pole, blowing by the leaders on her way to a 16-length romp in the 1:58.4 mile. Phoenix Rising (Movie Idol) took the place money. Bryan Truitt, Teddy and Joyce Baker own the winner, Truitt is also the trainer and John Dixson is the breeder.

The second round of Maryland Sire Stakes continue on Wednesday Aug.31 at Ocean Downs.

For complete race results, click here.

by Cheri Stambaugh, for the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund