by Cheri Stambaugh

Fort Washington, MD — The fall series of Maryland Sire Stakes started at Rosecroft on Tuesday (Sept. 20) with a six race non-wagering card.

The 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings opened with two divisions of prelims. The continuing rivalry between Mr Ham Sandwich (Cam’s Rocket) and Adios Muchachos (Cam’s Rocket) once again produced a thrilling stretch drive with Mr Ham Sandwich holding on for the win in 1:55.4 with Russell Foster in the bike. Brian Emerson is the owner and breeder, while Judy Welty trains.

In division two for the colt/gelding pacers, Welcometotheparty (The Fraternity Pan) scored his first lifetime win in 1:57 for owner/trainer Stacey McLenaghan. Corey Braden was the reinsman and Ron McLenaghan is the breeder. Just Jack finished second.

The result of the first split for filly pacers was no surprise when driver Roger Plante Jr. sent Miss Valerie (Allie’s Western) to the engine and just coated to a 1:57.2 finish, three-quarters of a length ahead of Mia Love. Miss Valerie remains undefeated, giving her eight wins in eight starts. Steve LeBlanc trains for owners Leblanc Racing Inc., Count De Money Stable and William Lutz Jr. The breeders are Tom and Linda Winebrener.

Evergreen Marla (Capitol Power) picked up her first lifetime win in the second division for filly pacers, winning by nine lengths in 1:57.1. This gave driver Russell Foster his second stakes win on the card. Franklin Lemon is the owner/trainer while A. Daniel Myer is the breeder. Fast Ain’t Cheap was up for place.

The 2-year-old trotting colts/geldings were up next and pilot Brian Burton made Hybrid Henry (Cam’s Rocket) mind his manners after a miscue in the August final. The pair went to the front and never looked back, stopping the clock in 2:00 over rival LG’s Hotshoeboy. This gave Hybrid Henry seven wins in eight starts for owner/trainer/breeder Richard Hans.

The combination of trainer Steve LeBlanc and driver Roger Plante Jr. picked up their second win of the stakes card in the 2-year-old filly trot. Roger was content to sit in the pocket with Holy Trout (Holy Guacamolie) and let Starz And Deuces cut the mile until the stretch drive, coming up the passing lane to win by a half-length. Dr. William Solomon is the owner and breeder.

Sire Stakes action continues on Thursday (Sept. 22) with the first prelims for 3-year-olds at Rosecroft.