Ft. Washington, MD — Cloggs For Real won his opening Maryland Sires Stakes leg in 2023 as a 2-year old and looked poised for a big freshman campaign. Then, like some young athletes, immaturity and soundness issues cost him that potential almost immediately.

He managed $41,200 in ten starts, but won only twice, and was third in the $85,000 MDSS final at Ocean Downs in September.

In his first two starts of 2024, he has clearly stamped himself as the favorite heading into next Tuesday’s final. He won handily Tuesday night (May 7) at Rosecroft for the second straight week, taking his $10,000 preliminary leg for Corey Braden in 1:53.3. The son of Rusty’s For Real is owned and was bred by Pamela Wagner and is trained by John Wagner.

In the 3-year old colt and gelding trot, Geralds A Keeper turned the tables on his stablemate and dominant force among the group, K J Dash, winning in 1:58.1 for Trae Porter. K J Dash had only lost once in seven tries against MDSS competition coming into Tuesday night. John Wagner trains the winner for owner-breeder Pamela Wagner. The son of Lockkeeper is now two-for-three in 2024 and set a new mark in the process.

Fancy Like That, the defending filly pace champion from 2023, has been terrific in each of the last two weeks and is the clear favorite for next week’s top prize. Johnathan Ahle, who leads the Rosecroft dash standing with two nights remaining, guided the filly to an easy 8-1/4 length victory in 1:56. Kasey Bendix co-owns and trains the daughter of Rusty’s For Real with Virginia Marvel.

Only I Exist won a three horse trotting preliminary for Russell Foster for the second straight week, as owner-trainer Richard Hans has now won eight of nine lifetime with the filly who is just shy of $150,000 in lifetime earnings.

Porter won with Lloyd’s Loves in the $10,000 Open for pacing mares in 1:51.3, halting a two-race win streak for second place finisher Grace Rocks. The 4-year old mare by Rusty’s All In is now five-for-six since being claimed on March 12 by trainer Michael Hall for owners William MacMillan and Chris Devine.

Jonathan Roberts and Foster won three times on Tuesday night, while Ahle, Porter, and Braden all won twice. Wagner and Eli Scott each had two training wins. William Carter had a driving win and a training win, as his dad, Billy, won with Bluebird Ina for his son in a lifetime best 1:54.4.