Ocean City, MD – The freshman Maryland Sire Stakes preliminaries for pacing fillies and trotting colts and geldings concluded at Ocean Downs on Wed. August 21.
In race one, the first division for the trotting colts and geldings, Andy American (Andoversure) repeated his trip from last week going gait to wire, 7 lengths ahead of Lg's Jet (Lear Jetta) in the 2:03.3 mile. Jonathan Roberts received the driving assignment from trainer Charlie Norris for owner-breeder Robert Key.
The first split for the pacing fillies saw Fire Me Up (Rusty's All In) pickup her second preliminary win for owner-breeder Pamela Wagner stopping the clock in 1:59.4. Fire Me Up is trained by Shannon Trader and driven by Jared Moyer. My Girl Lu (Rusty's For Real) finished second.
Despite a broken buxton flapping most of the mile, Yall Beneath Me (Googoo Gaagaa) destroyed the second split for colt and gelding trotters, winning by 33 lengths in 1:57.2 on the half mile oval. K J Larry (Lockkeeper) took the place spot. Reinsman Russell Foster was in the bike behind Yall Beneath Me for owner-trainer-breeder Richard Hans.
Eddie Davis Jr. pulled Maizee Blue (Rusty's All In) first over near the half taking the lead by the ¾ pole and coasting home in the 1:59.2 second division for the pacing fillies. I'd Be Rich (Rusty's For Real) held on for second. Les Givens trains the winner for owners and breeders Leslie Moore and Robert Weyforth.
The $70,000 Maryland Sire Stakes Finals for two year olds will be contested on Sunday August 25th and Wednesday August 28th.
By Cheri Stambaugh, for Maryland Development Fund