from RUS MidAtlantic

Berlin, MD — Hyway Marcus leads a quartet of trotters in the $4,000 season opener of RUS MidAtlantic’s 2018 Trotting Series at Ocean Downs on Sunday (July 15), one of several events taking place as part of Ocean Downs’ celebration of National I Love Horses Day. This will be the fifth year RUS makes a stop at the resort track and has been well-received by race fans.

Hyway Marcus, the 7-year-old son of Gut Instinct has found a second life under saddle, sweeping the RUS MidAtlantic Series last year, ridden by owner/trainer Sasha Moczulski who will be in the saddle Sunday. Last year the RUS specialist took the Ocean Downs leg in 2:02.1 and draws post four for this year’s edition.

If this was a wagering race, there’s no doubt Hyway Marcus would be the overwhelming favorite, but the race needs to be contested before the purse money is paid out as the possibility of an upset exists.

Rider Hillary Harnett hopes to avenge One True Friend’s defeat to Hyway Marcus last year at Rosecroft. The 11-year-old mare by Dream Vacation is co-owned by Harnett and trainer Wesley Miller and is making her second purse start of the season, going off-stride at Historic Track on July 1. If the mare stays on-stride she will be a factor in this race. One True Friend drew post position two in Sunday’s race.

Starting from the rail, 10-year-old Traverse Seelster comes into the race after a win last year in the Miller Memorial at Monticello Raceway, his only purse start in RUS events thus far. His last start on July 8 was in sulky at Saratoga where he finished third, timed in 1:57.4 in a mid-level conditioned race. If he can flash some of his speed under saddle, Traverse Seelster may be a threat at the wire. Owner/Trainer Ashley Eldred rides the altered son of Angus Hall.

Flowing James (post three) is well prepped for this race, competing at Historic track in three matinee races and one purse start where he finished second to Armbro Hall. The 13-year-old gelding by Ilooklikemymom completed his preparations for the RUS MidAtlantic race with a victory at the fair track in Afton, N.Y. The last time Traverse Seelster raced at Ocean Downs was in 2015 when he finished second to Hyway Marcus. Flowing James is being ridden by his lessee/trainer Vanessa Karlewicz.

Previous winners of RUS races at Ocean Downs are: 2014–Truth In Action, ridden by Karen Isbell; 2015–Hyway Marcus, Maria Buchanan; 2016–Mr Protab, Stephanie Jacobs; 2017–Hyway Marcus, Sasha Moczulski.

Should Hyway Marcus be victorious, it will be a hat trick in RUS racing at Ocean Downs.

The non-wagering RUS event is scheduled for 8:55 p.m., immediately after the sixth race on the wagering card. First race on Sunday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. There will be a meet and greet before and after the race.