Berlin, MD — The second round of Maryland Sire Stakes preliminaries for 2-year-old pacing fillies and trotting colts and geldings were held on Monday (Aug. 28) at Ocean Downs.

The first split for the pacing fillies went to post in race one. Reinsman John Wagner sent Covid For Real (Rusty’s For Real) gate-to-wire, winning by 1-1/4 lengths over Whodat Really (Rusty’s For Real) in 2:04.1. Wagner trains the filly for owner-breeder Pam Wagner.

Race three had the winners of the first round of prelims meeting for the first time. Rusty’s Baby Ruth (Rusty’s For Real) left from the rail position with Fancy Like That (Rusty’s For Real) coming from outside to slip into the pocket until the three-quarter pole. With the fillies side by side for most of the last quarter, Rusty’s Baby Ruth held on in the 1:57.4 mile. William Carter received the driving assignment from trainer Elwood Tignor for owner-breeder Ashley Page.

The trotting colts and geldings went to the gate in race five on the card. K J Dash (Lockkeeper) charged down the stretch to nip the leader War Pony (Yall Beneath Me) by a head at the wire in 2:01.3. Victor Kirby was in the bike for trainer John Wagner and owner-breeders Pam Wagner and Scott Woogen.