by Jeff Billings, for the MSRF

Berlin, MD — On a humid Monday (Aug. 6) evening, in front of a large crowd, Ocean Downs held the first legs of the Maryland Sire Stakes preliminaries for both 2-year-old colt pacers and trotting fillies.

The spectators were invited into the infield throughout the evening to observe the first ever Pig and Weiner Dog races as they enjoyed a competitive card of harness racing.

In the first division for pacing colts, Berzerker, a Rusty’s For Real homebred for Wanda, Clifton and Brandon Murray made his connections proud, taking full advantage of the rail in his first pari-mutuel start while cutting out fractions of :29.4, 1:00.3, and 1:30.3 and confidently sprinting home in the lane to stop the timer in 1:59.4 for driver Tony Morgan. Sonny’s Blessing made an impressive move from the back of the field to finish ahead of stablemate Where’s Barry to garner the place spot.

The second division saw the Rusty’s All In colt Dennis The Menace gun down early pacesetter Owzitgoin through the lane after sitting a comfortable tracking spot, third along the rail, behind swift fractions of :28.2, :57.2, and 1:27.1. As the field maintained its single file positions to the three- quarter marker driver Jared Moyer swung Dennis The Menace off the pylons around the final turn and gamely tracked down the early pacesetter while kicking home in :29.4 to trip the timer in 1:57.3.

Bossy Hilly had the perfect steer from driver Jonathon Roberts in the first division of the trotting fillies as she capitalized on a two hole journey behind Tiny Tiara for the entire mile. The Leon Harris trainee pulled the pocket on the far turn and trotted strongly to the wire to post a 2:01.3 mile. Tiny Tiara held position for second to round out the exacta.

The second split of trotting fillies saw Mary’s A Keeper leave sharply off the wings for driver John Wagner and lead throughout the 2:04.2 mile while holding off the late surging favorite Sleek N Majestic for driver Arthur Stafford Jr. Mary’s A Keeper is a homebred for owners John Wagner and Syl King Jr.

Maryland Sire Stakes will continue back on Sunday (Aug. 19) and Monday (Aug. 20) with the second legs of preliminaries.