It was a night for upsets in the harness racing two-year-old ranks. The favorite in the $40,475 filly trot the 'Ronald "Doc" Banning Memorial", Holy Trout was three deep in the first turn when she made a break leaving the Givens trained entry in the lead. Jim Morand cut the 2:03.4 mile with Camita (Cam's Rocket) while stablemate L G's Hotshoegirl settled for the pocket trip, taking second and Holy Trout recovered for third. Camita is owned and bred by Jim Morand and Nanticoke Racing Inc.
In race 3 the 'W.W. "Pete" Saw Memorial' for the colt and gelding trotters, the two favorites made breaks in the first turn leaving the field wide open. Reinsman Russel Foster sent Redneck Cowboy (Four Starz Robro) to the front, holding off several challenges on the backside and last turn to pull away by 3 lengths over late closing Guac N Roll. Kasey Bendix and Virginia Marvel own and bred the winner and Jerry Nock trains. Time for the mile was 2:04. The purse was $40,250.
Miss Valerie (Allie's Western) remains undefeated in the filly pacing division. Driver Roger Plante Jr. sent Miss Valerie out of the gate, finally taking the lead at the quarter pole from Evergreen Marla. They maintained a short lead all the way to the wire in 1:59.2. Maxkenna was up for third. Steve LeBlanc trains the winner for owners LeBlanc Racing Inc., Count De Money Stable and William Lutz Jr. The breeders are Tom and Linda Winebrener. This race was the $41,900 'Hubert Jackson Memorial'
Race 7 for pacing colts and geldings was the 'Charles Keller Memorial' with a purse of $37,725. The rivalry between Adios Muchachos and Mr Ham Sandwich continued with leader changes twice in the mile. In the end Mr Ham Sandwich (Cam's Rocket) with Russel Foster in the bike was victorious in the 1:55.4 Stakes record mile. Judy Welty trains for owner/breeder Brian Emerson.
The 3 year olds finish the Ocean Downs stakes on Thursday Sept. 1st.
Maryland Sire Stakes continue at Rosecroft starting September 20th.
By Cheri Stambaugh