by Cheri Stambaugh

Berlin, MD — The big crowd at Ocean Downs had plenty to see and do on the beginning of the holiday weekend with a driver Meet and Greet featuring Rick Still, Jason Thompson and Montrell Teague, carriage rides on the track between races, a sketch artist and pony rides on Sunday (July 2).

The 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings went as early non-wagering events when the split resulted in short fields for the Maryland Standardbred Fund Stakes. Hybrid Henry (Cam’s Rocket) cut the mile holding off a stretch challenge by pocket sitting Just Like Bud in the 1:59.2 mile. Russell Foster picked up the drive for owner/trainer/breeder Richard Hans.

The second division of colt and gelding trotters saw several missteps early in the mile. The Jeff Fout trainee Command The Fire (CR Commando) recovered nicely, edging his way to the lead by the head of the stretch stopping the clock in 2:01.4 over Kirby In Command. Winbak Farm is the owner/breeder.

Three divisions of filly pacers were races one, six and eight on the pari-mutuel card. Driver Jonathan Roberts, sitting behind Ideal In Cash (Western Ideal), was content with the pocket trip catching A Lady Sizzling at the wire by a nose in 1:58.2. Shawn Callahan trains for owner/breeder Nick Callahan.

In race six the second split for the filly pacers, reinsman Art Stafford Jr. sent Lunar Phase (Roddy’s Bags Again) to the top where she maintained a three-length lead over Miss Valerie in the 1:55.1 mile. Art Stafford Jr. co-owns with F. Wyatt Starkey. William Moffett Inc. is the breeder of Lunar Phase.

The final stake of the night saw the favorite Free Flight Fran (Veeza) and pilot Allan Davis take advantage of the rail, leaving strongly, cutting the mile in 1:57.3 for owners Thomson Sisters Racing and breeder Winbak Farm. She’s A Billionair was second. A break by Bad Mama in the first turn resulted in some interference and a disqualification in the final placings.

The 3-year-old filly trotters and colt and gelding pacers go to post Monday (July 3) at 7:05 p.m. in their divisions of the Maryland Standardbred Fund Stakes.