by Jim Whittemore, publicity director, Ocean Downs

Berlin, MD — In the featured fifth race Robert Cotton, Jr. Memorial Late Closer at Ocean Downs on Thursday night, four-year-old Ldees Paulie, with trainer Jerry Nock in the bike, won his fourth straight race at the Ocean Oval.

The successful gelding completed the mile in 1:57⁴, his best time for the summer meet at Ocean Downs. In 25 starts in 2004, Ldees Paulie has six wins, six seconds and four thirds.

Jerry Nock’s win with Ldees Paulie was his fifth win as a driver and also his fifth as a trainer.

With a driving double on Thursday, Sam Belote moved into third place in the meet’s driving title chase, now with 10 wins.

The veteran horseman won the third race with Rhiannon O Rhye, a four-year-old mare trained by Belote himself. It was Belote’s fifth win as a trainer during this meet, moving him into second place, one training victory behind Robert Myers, Jr. and Richard Ringler.

Ringler had a training double on Thursday. His first training win of the evening came in the fourth race with the six-year-old gelding Texas Outlaw. His second ironically was in the seventh race with G H Big Bang, driven by Belote.

Belote and his horses are doing well this summer at the beach.

“Yeah I got more stock than I had last year…a couple of them have been racing at the Meadowlands, Freehold and in Delaware where the competition is a little tougher. They’re getting sharp,” Belote said.

In the driver’s race, Ricky Still remains in first place with 20 wins. Raymond Robinson, Jr. is still in second place with 16 wins. Belote though, who won three driving titles at Ocean Downs in the middle-70’s, is now third with 10 wins.

“I’m getting an opportunity to do a little driving and I appreciate things more now. I’m thankful. It’s no pressure (at Ocean Downs) and that’s what makes it fun,” Belote said.

Thursday’s 10 race card completed the 18th night of the 40-day live racing meet at the Ocean Oval. Racing continues with a Wednesday through Sunday schedule through August 28.