by Cheri Stambaugh

Ft. Washington, MD — On Tuesday (Sept 27) the second preliminaries for 2-year-old Maryland Sire Stakes were held at Rosecroft.

The non-wagering card opened with the trotting fillies. Driver Roger Plante Jr. sent Holy Trout (Holy Guacamolie) to the front to take control of the well rated mile, stopping the clock in 2:00.4, holding off a challenge by Camita. Steve LeBlanc trains for owner/breeder Dr. William Solomon.

In the trotting colts and geldings race the sometimes unpredictable Hybrid Henry (Cam’s Rocket) minded his manners for pilot Brian Burton, setting the Sire Stakes record for 2-year-old trotting geldings of 1:59. JA On The Way was up for place. Richard Hans owns, trains and bred the winner.

Reinsman Russell Foster and Mr Ham Sandwich (Cam’s Rocket) got away sixth out of the gate and waited for everyone to settle into position. Pulling at the half, Foster slowly guided Mr Ham Sandwich up until the head of the stretch where they charged to the wire, pacing in 1:54.1, three lengths in front of Toms Tarzan. Judy Welty trains for owner/breeder Brian Emerson.

The Steve LeBlanc and Roger Plante Jr. combination teamed up again in the first split for filly pacers with the undefeated Miss Valerie (Allie’s Western). In their usual style Roger sent Miss Valerie to the front and the rest was history in the 1:59.3 mile, giving her nine wins in nine starts. Evergreen Marla was up for place. Leblanc Racing Inc., Count De Money Stable and William Lutz Jr. are the owners and Tom and Linda Winebrener are the breeders.

In the second split for filly pacers, Mia Love (The Fraternity Pan) earned her first lifetime win with Russell Foster in the bike, pacing the mile in 1:58.2, catching the leader Cheap Aint Fast at the wire. Harold Savage trains for owner Ruben Lourenco. Marjorie Kazmaier is the breeder.

Roger Plante Jr and Russell Foster both picked up two stakes wins on the card.

The stakes continue with the 3-year-olds on Thursday (Sept. 29) at Rosecroft.