Ocean City, MD — The spotlight was bright and the performances even brighter on Wednesday evening (July 16) as the Maryland Sire Stakes Finals took center stage at Ocean Downs, awarding $95,000 in each of four divisions for three-year-old trotters and pacers. With championship glory and bragging rights on the line, four winners left no doubt they were Maryland’s finest in their class.
The night opened with a commanding performance by Yall Keep Dreaming (Johnathan Ahle), who went three for three in the 3-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Trot division. Driven confidently by Ahle for trainer and breeder Richard Hans, the son of Yall Beneath Me never faced a challenge, rolling through fractions of 28.1, 56.1, and 1:24.4 before coasting home in 1:55, 18 lengths in front. Roan Ridge (Russel Foster) and Swervingmervin (Declan Donaway) followed distantly, but the trotting crown was sealed long before the wire.
In one of the most thrilling surprises of the night, Playin For Real (William Carter) delivered a 26-1 upset in the 3-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace Final. The gelded son of Rusty’s For Real stalked patiently before taking control in the final turn and holding off a late surge by Don’t Say Maybe (Frank Milby) to score in 1:55.2 for driver Carter and trainer Jason Walters. Rusty’s Lancelot finished a solid third, while favored Brooksforreal (Jared Moyer) and Thomas K (Tim Deaton) faded late after early involvement. The victory was the biggest of Playin For Real’s young career and one that turned heads across the Ocean Downs apron.
On the trotting side for fillies, K J The Thirteenth (Fern Paquet Jr.) was every bit the professional she’s been all season. With Paquet Jr. at the lines for Scott Warnick, the Il Mago filly seized the lead early and never wavered, posting fractions of 28.3, 59.0, and 1:28.4 before trotting home in 1:59.1, holding Y’all Know Me (Foster) and Yall Just Love Me (Ahle) safely at bay. The win earned K J The Thirteenth a sweep of both preliminary legs and the final—a true testament to consistency and class.
The night concluded with a masterclass from the division queen herself, Ragtime Red (Allan Davis), who delivered a dominant performance in the 3-Year-Old Filly Pace Final, capturing her third straight stakes win in 1:55.0. Trained by Donald Brittingham, the Getitoffyourchest filly went wire-to-wire, gliding through fractions of 27.4, 57.1, and 1:26 before kicking clear with a 29.0 final quarter to win by nearly six lengths. Post Jolene (Jonathan Roberts) and Toys Little Tinker (Carter) followed gamely but were never a threat to the overwhelming favorite.
From start to finish, the 2025 Maryland Sire Stakes series showcased the best of Maryland-bred Standardbred talent—from flawless campaigns to breakout performances. Wednesday’s finals at Ocean Downs capped a summer of unforgettable miles, standout connections, and bright futures ahead for these young stars.
Stakes action returns on July 28 and July 30 for the two-year-olds in the MD Race Fund.