Ocean City, MD – Ocean Downs gave the large enthusiastic crowd a variety of events on Sunday July 28th.
The night started with a driver meet and greet at 6:30 with Montrell Teague, John MacKinnon and Frank Milby. Pacing For The Cure also had their table set up with T-shirts, hats, mugs and a one lap walk on the track after the second race, all to raise money for research for MS also Positive Strides Therapeutic Riding Program continued their month long fundraiser.
The freshman stakes season opened with four Maryland Standardbred Fund (foaled) Stakes.
In the first race for pacing colts and geldings Eddie Davis Jr. sent Nvrfearlloydishere (Rusty's All In) gate to wire in the 2:00.2 mile finishing one length ahead of Jordons All In (Rusty's All In). Arlene Cameron trains the winner for owner-breeder Pamela Wagner. The purse was $13,200.
The stakes and track record fell in the first $12,300 split for trotting fillies. Gooreatness (Googoo Gaagaa) with Russell Foster between the wheels controlled every step of the 2:00.1 record setting mile, Cate's A Keeper (Lockkeeper) took the place position.
Richard Hans is the owner and trainer and Arlene Cameron is the breeder.
The second $13,200 division for pacing colts and geldings went to post in race three. American Nitro (Badlands Nitro) took command early, opening up at every pole, stopping the clock almost eight lengths ahead of Don't Shock Me (Nuclear Breeze) in 2:00.3.
Vic Kirby had the driving assignment from trainer Les Givens and owners H. Faragalli III, Nanticoke Racing, A. Feeney and D. Doane. The breeder was Winbak Farm.
The final stake of the night was the $12,300 second division for trotting fillies. Reinsman John Wagner pulled K J Andrea (Lockkepper) at the half, blowing by the field, finishing nineteen lengths ahead of Lady At Arms (Muscles Yankee) in 2:02. Arlene Cameron trained the filly for owners Scott Woogen and Pamela Wagner, Clarissa Coughlin was the breeder.
By Cheri Stambaugh, for the Maryland Standardbred Fund