Berlin, MD — The opening preliminary leg of the 2026 Maryland Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters and pacers kicked off Monday evening (July 6) at Ocean Downs, with one trotting division and two pacing divisions contested for purses of $10,000 each.
The evening began with the sophomore trotting division, where Y’all Got No Shot stamped himself as the early favorite in the series. Driven by Russell Foster for trainer Richard Hans, the son of Yall Beneath Me controlled the action from the outset, carving out fractions of :29, :58.1 and 1:26.4 before drawing away to a commanding 17-3/4-length victory in 1:57. Stablemate Booger Bear completed a Hans exacta, while Doctor Scott finished third. The mile established a new stakes and track record for 3-year-old gelding trotters.
The first pacing division produced the night’s most exciting finish as B Real dug in gamely to prevail by a nose over Dapper Time and Inca Social in 1:56.4. Corey Braden guided the son of Rusty’s For Real to the front just ahead of the three-eighths marker before holding off the late challenge from the race favorite Dapper Time through the stretch. Inca Social completed the trifecta, only a nose back as well.
The second pacing division belonged to heavy favorite Better Gon, who delivered a front-end tour de force for driver Braden and trainer Adrian Wisher Jr. The son of More The Better N dictated every step of the mile before sprinting home in :29 to score by 7-1/2 lengths in 1:56.3. Coach Cooley rallied for second, with Beach Buggy finishing third.
The Maryland Sire Stakes series for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters and pacers continues with the second leg next Monday, July 13, at Ocean Downs.
Three-year-old fillies take to the track on Wednesday (July 8) in the first preliminary of their Maryland Sire Stakes division.