Berlin, MD — Johnathan Ahle won four races on Thursday (June 27) at Ocean Downs to extend his lead over Trae Porter atop the drivers’ standings. Two of Ahle’s wins came for trainer Darren Ferrell, who notched a hat trick on the 12-race card.

Johnathan Ahle kicked off his driving grand slam on Thursday at Ocean Downs aboard Half A Virgin. K. Moyer Photography.

Ahle kicked off his grand slam with Brian Burton trainee Half A Virgin ($3.00), who took a second-level conditioned distaff pace in 1:55.4 after vacating the pocket on the far turn and evading 17-1 outsider Sweet Lil by 2-1/4 lengths.

The 27-year-old driver then teamed up with Ferrell to win with claiming pacers Mystic Waze ($3.20, 1:55.4) and Photobombr Hanover ($3.80, 1:54) before completing his grand slam with Jerry Nock pupil Rusty’s Houdini ($14.80), who rallied off second-over cover to down Ladyford Dollar GB by a head in 1:55 in a third-level conditioned pace.

With just over a quarter of the 2024 meet complete, Ahle has won 33 races at Ocean Downs, outpacing Trae Porter, who is second with 20 wins, and the tandem of William Carter and Russell Foster, who are currently tied for third with 14.

Ferrell completed his training triple in the finale, an Ocean Club Amateur Drivers event, with 1-5 favorite Bet On Buter, whom John Littleton Jr. drove to a pillar-to-post 1:57 win.

Live racing returns to Ocean Downs on Sunday, with a 10-race card featuring the opening leg of the Maryland Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings. First post is 7:05 p.m. (EDT).