Berline, MD – Four new Maryland Sire Stakes champions were crowned Wednesday evening (July 29) at Ocean Downs as the state’s top 3-year-old pacers and trotters competed for $100,000 finals in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The evening showcased dominant favorites, thrilling stretch battles, and standout performances from Maryland’s premier sophomore stars.
The night began with the 3-Year-Old Filly Trot Final, where Progressivekathy lived up to her overwhelming favoritism with a commanding gate-to-wire victory in 1:59. Driven by Russell Foster for trainer Ronald Millman, the daughter of Il Mago controlled the pace from the outset before winning by 5-3/4 lengths.
Bred and owned by Scott Woogen of Virginia, Progressivekathy capped an outstanding Maryland Sire Stakes campaign with the richest victory of her career. Twisted Janet sat second throughout and finished second for Corey Braden and trainer Adrian Wisher Jr., while stablemate More Than Tipsy, also trained by Wisher, completed the trifecta.
The 3-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Trot Final produced one of the night’s best races as Booger Bear edged favored stablemate Y’all Got No Shot in a thrilling stretch duel.
Driver Johnathan Ahle settled Booger Bear just behind the pacesetter before tipping out in the lane to wear down his rival and prevail by 2-1/4 lengths in a career-best 1:56.2. Richard Hans trains, owns, and bred the son of Yall Beneath Me, who delivered a stakes and track record performance. Convicted Criminal rallied to finish third for Brandon Givens and trainer Les Givens.
The 3-Year-Old Filly Pace Final featured another outstanding finish as That’sloveto dug in gamely to repel multiple challengers and earn a narrow victory in 1:56.
Johnathan Ahle, winner of two MD Sire Stakes Finals, guided the daughter of Dapper Dude to the early lead and expertly rated fractions before holding off the late charge of I Say That Too by three-quarters of a length. More Than Better closed strongly to finish another half-length back in third after rallying first-over around the final turn.
Trained, owned, and bred by Dominik Miga, That’sloveto has now captured two championships in succession as she won her final at Rosecroft back in October 2025.
The evening concluded with the 3-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace Final, where Dapper Time proved best after controlling the race from start to finish.
Russell Foster sent the son of Dapper Dude directly to the lead from the rail and never looked back, turning away every challenge before stopping the timer in 1:56. Coach Cooley chased throughout to finish second, while Better Gon overcame an early miscue and a wide trip to rally for third. This was the second stakes win of the evening for Russell Foster.
Jason Walters trains Dapper Time for owners Anthony Sapienza, Melissa Beckwith, and Nancy Longobardi. The colt was bred by Micki Rae Stables LLC and Tim Twaddle.
Next for the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund are races for horses that were foaled in Maryland with Maryland Standardbred Fund races on Monday (Aug. 3) and Wednesday (Aug. 5).