by Cheri Stambaugh

Berlin, MD — The inaugural session of Maryland Sire Stakes for 4- and 5-year-olds ended with a bang on Sunday (June 29) at Ocean Downs when Whitesville Bug (Capitol Power) stopped the clock in 1:57.1, paying $103.40 to win in the mare pacing division.

Driver David Hill III sat third with Whitesville Big while watching the two favorites, Bonnie Ben Jamin and Evergreen Jill, battle it out on the front. Hill pulled Whitesville Bug at the head of the lane, winning by three-quarters of a length over Evergreen Jill with Bonnie Ben Jamin hanging on for third. Gary White is the owner, trainer and breeder.

The first non-wagering event of the evening was the 4- and 5-year-old Maryland Sire Stakes open trot. In the three horse contest reinsman Frank Milby grabbed the lead out of the gate with Perfect Tententen (Straight Up Lindy) by three lengths and stretched that to four at the wire in 2:03.4 over Brissot and Mycology. Elam Petersheim is the owner and trainer, while Meadow Creek Stables LLC is the breeder.

The other non-wagering event was the horse/gelding division of the pacers. There were no surprises in this four horse field as driver Frank Milby took Firecracker Freddy (Cam’s Rocket) to the front and they never looked back, finishing in 1:56.1, 1-1/2 lengths in front of Evergreen Power. Roger Hans is the owner, trainer and breeder.

The evening opened with a driver meet and greet from 6:30 to 7 p.m. with Ray Robinson Jr. and Jeff Stafford answering questions, signing autographs and posing for pictures with some of the young fans.