by Cheri Stambaugh
Berlin, MD — Hybrid Henry (Cam’s Rocket) lowered his mark again, setting a new Maryland Sire Stakes record for geldings in the 2-year-old colt and gelding trot on Sunday (July 24) at Ocean Downs.
Reinsman Brian Burton sent Hybrid Henry right to the front in the well rated mile, stopping the clock in 1:59.3 for owner/trainer/breeder Richard Hans, giving him a perfect four-for-four record. LG’s Hotshoeboy once again was second. The purse for this final was $39,750.
The pacing fillies, with a purse of $35,650, opened the wagering card with a 1:58.3 mile, giving Miss Valerie (Allie’s Western) five wins in five starts. Driver Roger Plante Jr. was not content to sit in the pocket and pulled by the quarter, taking control over Cheap Ain’t Fast before opening up a couple of lengths in the stretch. Miss Valerie is owned by LeBlanc Racing Inc., Count De Money Stable and William Lutz Jr. and is trained by Steve LeBlanc. Tom and Linda Winebrener are the breeders.
The third race was the $40,475 contest for trotting fillies. The Les Givens trained Holy Trout (Holy Guacamolie) lowered her own stakes record by trotting the mile in 2:02. Pilot Bill Long sat in the pocket until the three-quarter pole, battling Camita for the lead all the way to the wire. This win gives Holy Trout a sweep of the July series of sire stakes. Dr. William Solomon is the owner and breeder.
A third stakes record for the night was set in the pacing colts and geldings race. The Michael Hans owned Adios Muchachos (Cam’s Rocket), usually content to sit in the pocket, went to the front out of the gate and never looked back. The six length win in 1:56.1 set a new 2-year-old pacing gelding mark in the $37,474 race. Toms Tarzan had to pull from fourth by the half to get up for place. Richard Hans trains and Jim Morand was in the bike.
The 3-year-old July finals will be contested on Sunday (July 31) at Ocean Downs.