by Cheri Stambaugh

Berlin, MD — The Maryland Sire Stakes second prelims, scheduled for Sunday (Aug. 21) at Ocean Downs, took two nights to complete due to severe weather that blew through the area.

The trotting fillies went off as an early non-wagering event at 7 p.m. with the storm starting at the same time. Holy Trout (Holy Guacamolie), coming back after a short layoff, used the pocket most of the way before catching Camita in the stretch. Roger Plante Jr. was the pilot for owner/breeder William Solomon with Steve Leblanc picking up the training duties. Time for the race was 2:04.4.

At this point the storm moved through and the horsemen and management felt the conditions were not safe so the card was canceled. The three remaining sire stakes were rescheduled for early non-wagering events prior to the Monday evening card.

Trainer/driver Les Givens sent L G’s Hotshoeboy (Four Starz Robro) right to the lead in the trotting colt and gelding race, maintaining a two length lead to the wire in 2:04.1. Redneck Cowboy was up for place. Nanticoke Racing Inc. is the owner and breeder of the winner.

Early race two was for pacing colts and geldings. Reinsman Roger Plante Jr. took advantage of the inside post position to give Just Jack (Cam’s Rocket) his first taste of a front end trip, taking the mile in 2:00.3. Clarissa Coughlin owns the winner and Jim Coughlin trains. Roger Hans was the breeder. Hay There Harrison was second.

Filly pacers finished the prelims with a 1:59.4 effort. Miss Valerie (Allie’s Western) returned to perfect form after a two-week break due to sickness, upping her record to six wins in six starts. Cheap Ain’t Fast crossed the wire in second place. This race gave driver Roger Plante Jr. his third win in the prelims and trainer Steve LeBlanc his second training win on the card.

The 3-year-olds finish their preliminary races on Thursday (Aug. 25).