by Cheri Stambaugh

Ft. Washington, MD — The Maryland freshmen ended their stakes season on Tuesday (Oct. 4) at Rosecroft.

The non-wagering events at Rosecroft opened with the filly trot final going for $40,475. Reinsman Roger Plante Jr. was able to keep the sometimes unpredictable Holy Trout (Holy Guacamolie) on gait, going straight to the front and maintaining an almost two length lead right to the wire in 2:00 over Camita. Dr. William Solomon owns and bred Holy Trout and Steve LeBlanc trains.

In the Earl Wagner Memorial for colt/gelding trotters, Hybrid Henry (Cam’s Rocket), in his usual style, did not mind being on the outside to the quarter, opening up a 4-1/2 length lead to stop the clock in 1:59.1 for driver Brian Burton. Richard Hans owns, trains and bred the winner. JA On The Way closed well to take the place position. Hybrid Henry finished his season with nine wins in 10 starts. Purse for the race was $40,250.

The Smullin Memorial for pacing colts/geldings went for a purse of $37,475. Pilot Russell Foster was content to sit back in sixth position with Mr Ham Sandwich (Cam’s Rocket), letting Adios Muchachos lead the way to the half in :55.4. Mr Ham Sandwich circled the field by the three-quarters, opening up more than six lengths at the wire in a speedy 1:53.2. Adios Muchachos held off the challenge by Toms Tarzan to finish second. Judy Welty trains the winner for owner/breeder Brian Emerson.

The filly pacers ended the night with the Ralph Hayward Memorial with a purse of $35,150. Evergreen Marla and Cheap Ain’t Fast battled to the quarter in :26.4 with the undefeated Miss Valerie (Allie’s Western) sitting third and watching the action. When the dust settled at the half, driver Roger Plante Jr. pulled Miss Valerie, grinding his way to a 1-1/2 length lead in the 1:57.4 mile. Miss Valerie ended her freshman season with a perfect 10 wins in 10 starts for owners Leblanc Racing Inc., Count De Money Stable and William Lutz Jr. and trainer Steve LeBlanc. The breeders for Miss Valerie are Tom and Linda Winebrener.

The 3-year-olds finish their season at Rosecroft on Thursday (Oct. 6).