from Ocean Downs Marketing

Berlin, MD — The resurgent Maryland Sire Stakes returns for its annual trek to the eastern shore of Maryland with the kick-off of the stakes program and 4- and 5-year-old trotters taking the spotlight at Ocean Downs this Sunday (June 29).

With $61,500 up for grabs, it the first year an older stakes program has been implemented in Maryland as an incentive to breeders and owners alike to keep breeding and buying Maryland racehorses.

“Our Maryland advisory board thought it was a great idea to help owners, trainers and breeders with an older stakes program which would insure racing opportunities for older horses,” said Maryland stakes fund administrator Cheri Stambaugh.

“It has been a rough patch in the past few years, but now with more stallions and mares breeding in the state, thanks to our lucrative stakes program. This year will see us race for over $1.8 million in stakes money at Ocean Downs.”

One division of 4- and 5-year-old trotters will go to post at 6:50 p.m. headed by the 4-year-horse Perfect Tententen. He will be joined by Brissot and Mycology and race for a purse of $30,300.

A compact field of four horses and geldings will race next for a purse of $15,400 with Richard Hans’ Firecracker Freddy leading the way. Joining him to the post will be Evergreen Power, Yippi Ki Yeah and Hotspeed.

The third and final division of 4- and 5-year-olds will be raced as part of the ten race pari-mutuel card as the mares take center stage racing for $15,800. Sire stakes champion Bonnie Ben Jamin, a 4-year-old daughter of Cam’s Rocket and a winner of $162,862 lifetime, is the one to beat. Owned by Brian Emerson and conditioned by Judy Welty, the mare will face seven foes in the sixth race of the evening.

Also on tap that night will be a “meet and greet the drivers “ autograph session which will feature longtime Ocean Downs reinsman Ray Robinson Jr. The interview gets underway at 6:30 p.m. at the winner’s circle.

Post time for the first of ten pari-mutuel races is scheduled for 7:20 p.m.