by Cheri Stambaugh

Berlin, MD — Summer Showdown at Ocean Downs came to a close on Sunday (July 29) with the 3-year-old Maryland Sire Stakes finals.

In the two non-wagering events, last week’s preliminary winners did not make it back to the winner’s circle. In the filly trot, Shelby-J, the invader from the Meadows, never got to the top, making breaks at both the quarter and three-quarter poles. Mrs Weasley (Tejano) went wire-to-wire in 2:02.2 for owner Russell Williams, driver Jacqueline Ingrassia and trainer Frank Ingrassia.

The second non-wagering event was the colt/gelding pace. Last week Hotspeed was able to catch In Front Charlie in a photo, but this week In Front Charlie (Up Front Charlie) said ‘catch me if you can,’ cutting the mile in 1:56. Kelly O’Donnell trains the gelding for Up Front Racing LLC and Mark Ford. Tony Morgan was in the bike.

The colt/gelding trot went to Judge Onthe Bench (Tejano), showing he will be the force to beat this year in sire stakes action. Joe Offutt with Mycology made a valiant try down the stretch but Judge Onthe Bench was not giving any ground in the 2:02.1 mile. Vince Copeland was the reinsman for trainer Nick Callahan and owners John Swart Jr., Barnard Jennings and Asa Swart.

Brite Jet showed the filly pacers she was still the star. Undefeated in her 2-year-old Maryland Sire Stakes, she is off to the same kind of season this year, stopping the clock in 1:56.2 for owner/trainer Jim and Carol Atkinson. George Dennis was in the sulky.

Several times during the evening the owners and trainers welcomed young fans, chosen at random, to join them in the winner’s circle to get their picture taken with their favorite horses.

Maryland stakes action takes a break this week, returning August 8 and 9 with Maryland Standardbred Fund stakes.