Berlin, MD – Championship night has arrived at Ocean Downs as the 2026 Maryland Sire Stakes Finals for 3-year-old pacers and trotters take center stage Wednesday evening (July 29). Four $100,000 finals—two for pacers and two for trotters—will headline the program as Maryland’s top sophomores compete for divisional titles and a share of $400,000 in purses.
The evening begins with the 3-Year-Old Filly Trot Final, where an evenly matched group of five will battle for the championship. Progressivekathy has established herself as the division leader after winning both preliminary legs for trainer Ronald Millman and driver Russell Foster. The daughter of Il Mago enters the final as the 3-2 morning-line favorite after rallying to a head victory over Twisted Janet in the second preliminary.
Twisted Janet, trained by Adrian Wisher Jr. and driven by Corey Braden, has been the model of consistency throughout the series and is listed as the 8-5 second choice. She nearly went gate-to-wire in the second preliminary before being caught in the final strides and figures to be a formidable challenger once again. Stablemate More Than Tipsy, who finished third in the latest preliminary, looks to improve after drawing the rail, while Penn Tell Her and Sister Mago complete the field.
The 3-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Trot Final features an intriguing rematch between Richard Hans stablemates Y’all Got No Shot and Booger Bear. Y’all Got No Shot turned heads with a dominant 17¾-length victory in the opening preliminary, stopping the timer in 1:57, while Booger Bear returned to capture the second leg after finishing second in their first meeting. Booger Bear, with Johnathan Ahle listed to drive, is the 3-2 morning-line favorite, while Y’all Got No Shot, driven by Russell Foster, is close behind at 8-5. Convicted Criminal has consistently picked up checks throughout the season and could factor prominently, while Doctor Scott and Flyin Wizard round out the championship field.
The 3-Year-Old Filly Pace Final shapes up as one of the most competitive races of the night with a full field of eight. I Say That Too enters off an impressive wire-to-wire victory in the second preliminary and has been installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite. Corey Braden will once again pilot the daughter of Rusty’s For Real for trainer Stacey McLenaghan.
Standing in her way is More Than Better, who has been one of the division’s most consistent performers throughout the season and was narrowly defeated by a half-length in the second preliminary. Russell Foster drives the Herman Hagerman trainee from post eight at 5-2. Also drawing strong consideration is That’sloveto, winner of the second preliminary’s other division, while I’m Feeling Spicy, Miss Val’s Way, Pamfin, Areta, and Cedar Lane Lover complete a deep and talented field capable of producing an upset.
The evening concludes with the 3-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace Final, another wide-open championship featuring several preliminary winners. Inca Social has been tabbed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite after an impressive early season that included a 1:56.3 victory. Better Gon, dominant in his preliminary score, starts from post seven at 3-1, while Dapper Time seeks redemption after finishing a heartbreaking nose behind B Real in one of the closest finishes of the series.
B Real, another Corey Braden trainee from the Stacey McLenaghan barn, returns after earning his preliminary victory in 1:56.4 and is listed at 5-1. Coach Cooley, Dapperfly, Michelle’s Kyle, and Beach Buggy complete a balanced field that promises a fitting conclusion to the sophomore championships.
First post is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. at Ocean Downs, with the four Maryland Sire Stakes Finals carded as Races 1, 3, 5, and 7.