Three year old filly pacers and three year old colt and gelding trotters highlighted the harness racing card at Ocean Downs on a beautiful Sunday night.
The first race went as the first division for the filly pacers. Reinsman Vic Kirby pulled Pedal Power (Roddy's Bags Again) going to the ¾ pole, gaining on the leader with every stride. When the timer stopped in the 1:54.2 mile Pedal Power was a nose in front of Go Sandy Go (Roddy's Bags Again). Darrell and Leah Lewis own and train the filly and Winbak Farm is the breeder.
The trotting colts and geldings were up next. The Rene Allard trained Whats The Word (Donato Hanover) dominated the field in a stakes and track record of 1:55 winning by 15 ¾ lengths over second place finisher What That Is (Cam's Rocket). Corey Callahan drove the winner for owners Go Fast Stable, Kapildeo Singh and Earl Hill Jr., Frederick Hertrich III is the breeder.
The final stake of the night was the second split for filly pacers. The betting favorite Cool Toy (Cool Flying Fun) did not disappoint going wire to wire in 1:56.3 for pilot Jason Green and owners Breakaway Racing. Elwood Tignor trains the filly and Nick Callahan is the breeder. Rissy's All In (Rusty's All In) was second.
Ocean Downs also hosted Hall of Fame driver John Campbell for a meet and greet with a large group of fans, both young and old. John's wife Paula was also there spreading the word about the Standardbred Retirement Foundation and taking donations to support these retired racehorses horses.
The Standardbred Fund (foaled) Stakes continue Monday night July 9 with a post of 7:05 pm.
by Cheri Stambaugh, for the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund