by Jim Whittemore, publicity director, Ocean Downs

Berlin, MD — Driver Sam Belote logged wins in the first and second races at Ocean Downs on Wednesday night.

In the opening race on the Ocean oval’s 22nd night of the 40 day meet, Belote brought his own five-year-old gelding TW Scot to the winner’s circle. Belote’s win in the second race was with the five-year-old mare Misty Misfit. For each horse, it was their first win of the year. The driving double gives Belote 13 wins for the meet and now six training victories.

Another driver with two wins on the 10 race card was Mike Cole, who won the third race behind six-year-old mare Ohnomrso then came home a sixth race winner with Now That’s Art, a four-year-old gelding that won his sixth race in 16 starts this year.

The leading driver for the 56th annual live meet at the Ocean oval remains Ricky Still, who has 23 wins. Second is Raymond Robinson, Jr. (19), who was in the bike behind 10th race winner Noble Surfer, a six-year-old mare who now has three first place finishes in her 17 starts in 2004. Sam Belote’s two wins move him into third place, two wins ahead of Victor Kirby, who has 11 wins. Last summer’s driving champion Corey Braden now has 10 wins with his fourth race victory behind three-year-old filly See Life.

On a rare night with no rain, a very good crowd of 2,420 was in attendance. That’s the third largest crowd this summer.

Racing Thursday night features two of the meet’s most productive horses. In the sixth race Ldees Paulie races a field of four others. The four-year-old gelding, trained and driven by Jerry Nock, has a meet leading four wins, all in his last four starts.

In the seventh race on Thursday, Fortune Seeker and Badberry Creek battle again. Badberry Creek had finished second to Fortune Seeker three straight times until July 31 when the seven-year-old gelding nipped Fortune Seeker at the wire.

Post time for Thursday’s first of 10 races is 7:25 p.m. Live racing at Ocean Downs continues on a Wednesday through Sunday schedule through August 28.