by Jim Whittemore, publicity director, Ocean Downs

Berlin, MD — A new mile pace record for older mares was set at Ocean Downs on Sunday (July 1). Anastasia Hanover, a Badlands Hanover mare, completed the mile in 1:54.3 to snap the record of 1:55 set last summer by Seamstressforthepan and driver Eddie Davis.

The 4-year-old mare is owned by Linda Taylor and Pohl Lander Farms, Inc., is trained by Clifton Green and was driven by last year’s Harness Tracks of America Driver of the Year, Tony Morgan ($3.20). Anastasia Hanover has now started 10 races in 2007 and finished in the money each trip, winning six at Dover Downs, Harrington and now Ocean Downs.

Morgan last summer drove then 6-year-old Night Mystery to the overall Ocean Downs record for a mile pace, completing the trip in 1:51.1. Morgan was in the bike Sunday with Night Mystery again, but it was 6-year-old Real Art that produced the eye-popping mile.

The Artscape gelding put up impressive fractions (:27, :55, 1:24.2) in a 1:52.4 mile, the second fastest ever recorded in the 59-year history of the Ocean Oval. Real Art is owned by William Stevenson and Brian Callahan, is trained by Callahan and Sunday was driven by Victor Kirby ($9.60). Real Art has now won two in a row and four for the year in 17 starts.

Last summer at the Ocean Oval, Tony Morgan produced 47 of his season’s 1,004 total wins and was the meet’s driving champion. Sunday was only his second night at Ocean Downs this summer. He had a driving double, also guiding 6-year-old mare Price Check to victory for trainer/owner Norman “Buddy” Bell in a quick 1:55.1 ($3.00).

The Carter/Eisenhower team struck again Sunday for another win. Driver William Carter and trainer Joseph Eisenhower, Sr. grabbed the win in the 11th and final race when 6-year-old Big J’s Bad Boy converted their role as 6-5 favorite into a victory ($4.40). It was their seventh win together during the current Ocean Oval meet. For Carter, it was his eighth overall win this summer.

The meet’s leading driver is Raymond Robinson, Jr. (16 wins) who drove 3-year-old Wynnfield Flash to the gelding’s third straight overall victory and second consecutive at Ocean Downs for owners Pam Polk and daughter (trainer), Charlene Polk. Charles Perry, Jr. is the current second leading driver, now with nine wins after having the lines for 3-year-old Clara Bell B’s second straight win.

Only one horse has four wins after 10 nights of summer racing. 5-year-old Cheap Skate finished second in a June 17 opener, but has since rolled to four straight firsts for the Carter/Eisenhower tandem.

Live racing continues on a Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday format through August 25. There is no racing on Wednesday, July 4, due to a community fireworks display at the track. First post nightly is 7:35 p.m. Admission and parking are free at the Ocean Oval. For more information, call the track at (410) 641-0600.