by Jim Whittemore, publicity director, Ocean Downs

Berlin, MD — The 3-year-old Dixie Disturbance finished second in all three preliminary legs in the Alan Myer Memorial late closer trotting series at Ocean Downs. In the fourth and final leg though, on Thursday, August 23, the Yankee Tempest filly beat all the previous series winners and earned the final purse of $8,550.

It was her third win of the year ($4.60, 2:01.3) in 21 starts, which has also resulted in five seconds and four thirds. Frank Milby had the lines for trainer/owner Stan Hathaway, Jr. Jami The Great (John Wagner) finished second and Where’s Harry (Sam Landy) finished third in the final.

Super Snappy (Kim Vincent) had wins in the second and third legs of the series, but broke stride early and finished eighth.

Veteran driver/trainer Sam Belote’s entry Moon City Special, who had won the opening leg race August 2, finished fifth. Belote remembers a friend, Alan Myer, for whom this series was named.

“Alan was a true horseman. He lived it 24/7 and loved working with horses — getting the best in them. Alan and my father (the late John Belote) were real good friends and we were raised up around him as kids. He was the true picture of a horseman,” Belote said.

Sam Belote’s brother, Hal, died in last year’s on-track accident at Harrington and had a late closer trot series named in his honor, which this year was won on Wednesday, August 22, by Whitesville Tara, driven by W. David Hill. He has fond memories of Hal Belote.

“I knew Hal for a long time. He was a nice guy and very smart with trotters. His brother (Sam) and father, the same way,” Hill said.

The win in the Myer Series was one of four on Thursday for the meet’s leading driver Frank Milby. He was in the bike as Always A Choice won the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund colt and gelding pace for 2-year-olds with a $19,200 purse. The Three Olives colt, trained by Robert Leager, Jr., set a new Standardbred record for colts at Ocean Downs with an impressive 1:56.2 mile ($5.00).

“Mr. Leager has done a great job with him,” Milby said.

It was only the fourth start in the young colt’s career, but his second win after qualifying and winning his maiden at Rosecroft.

“He (Leager) let him in real easy because he didn’t want to rush him early. It was real smart,” Milby added.

For Milby, who also is the leading driver at Rosecroft, his four wins Thursday gives him 65 with only one night remaining in the 40-day summer meet at the Ocean.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” he said.

Milby also posted a final race win with the Shawn Armour-trained Harbour Lights ($4.20). For Armour, it was his meet-leading 26th victory.

“Yeah, I’ve had a good meet so far. I wasn’t going to come here, but I decided to bring everything down here (from Rising Sun, Md.). It paid off,” the 33-year-old Armour said.

The meet’s second leading trainer, Joseph Eisenhower, Sr., earned his 18th win of the meet with 5-year-old gelding Hi Sea ($8.80, 1:57.1) driven by John Wagner, who followed his five straight wins on Wednesday night with a driving double on Thursday.

Also with a pair of driving wins on Thursday was Roger Plante, Jr., who won two of the six Standardbred Fund races for 2-year-olds.

Driver Ray Robinson, Jr. had one win Thursday (Harry On Patrol – $6.40) and now has 52 meet wins, his career-highest at Ocean Downs.

The summer meet concludes Saturday, August 25, with an umbrella giveaway and a large fireworks display after the 12th and final race. First post is 7:35 p.m. For more information, call the track at (410) 641-0600.