by Cheri Stambaugh

Berlin, MD — Freshman trotting fillies and pacing colts competed in Maryland Sires Stakes prelims on Monday (Aug. 14) at Ocean Downs.

The first division for pacing colts/geldings started the night with a stretch duel between a pair of Roger Hans trainees. When the timer tripped at 1:58.1 the pocket-sitting Toms Titanosaurus (Cam’s Rocket) was a neck in front of I Run The Show. Brian Burton picked up the driving assignment for owner/breeder Thomas Cooke.

Two splits for trotting fillies were up next with the first going to the homebred TV Sensation (T V Show Kosmos), driven, trained, owned and bred by Chris Offutt, cutting the mile in 2:06.1. Maryann’s A Player finished second.

Googoo Gaagaa’s first crop are hitting the track in style. Corey Callahan sent Gaagaa Gone out from post six, not getting a clear lead until the quarter, but they didn’t stop there, opening up two lengths by the wire over Iron Mine Krystal in 2:02.1. Gaagaa Gone now has two wins in two starts for owner/breeder Corey Callahan and trainer Richard Hans.

With several lead changes in the second division for pacing colts and geldings, Roger Plante Jr.’s patience paid off when he sent Allie’s Finale up the passing lane to catch Charlie J in the 1:59.2 mile. Steve LeBlanc trains for owners Leblanc Racing, Count De Money Stable, William Lutz Jr. and James Stuart. The breeder is Jacob Ramsburg.

The final stake of the night saw reinsman Art Stafford Jr. send Toms Tyrannosaurus (Cam’s Rocket) wire-to-wire in 1:57, four lengths ahead of Bo Breeze. This gave owner Thomas Cooke and trainer Roger Hans their second stakes win for the night.

Maryland Sires Stakes prelims continue Sunday (Aug. 20) and Monday (Aug. 21).