by Cheri Stambaugh, MSRF Administrator

Berlin, MD — The Maryland Sire Stakes preliminaries for 3-year-olds were completed on Monday (July 2) at Ocean Downs.

The first split for pacing colts and geldings opened the card. Driver Jared Moyer was not content with the pocket and sent Ronnies Rocket (Cam’s Rocket) to the front by the half, opening up three lengths at the wire over E-Z Pass B (Total Truth) in the 1:54.2 mile. Arlene Cameron trains for owner-breeder Pamela Wagner.

Race two was the first division for trotting fillies. Showing great gate speed, Crystal’s Pistol (Cam’s Rocket) flew to the front, taking a two length lead over TV Sensation (T V Show Kosmos) by the quarter, extending the distance to five lengths in the 1:59.4 mile. Russell Foster was between the wheels for owner-breeder Syl King Jr. and trainer Arlene Cameron.

The second division for the trotting fillies gave trainer Cameron her third stakes winner when Jared Moyer put Maryann’s A Player (Charlie De Vie) in the pocket until the head of the stretch, catching the leader Diamonds Credit (Charlie De Vie) in the final strides. Pamela Wagner and Syl King Jr. are co-owners and breeders of Maryann’s A Player. Time for the mile was 2:01.4.

Reinsman Roger Plante Jr. was not taking any chances with pacing gelding Allie’s Finale (Allie’s Western), making the final cut after a scratch last week. The pair went gate-to-wire, holding off a fast closing Lloyd’s All In (Rusty’s All In) to win by a neck in 1:56.3 for owners LeBlanc Racing, Count De Money Stable, William Lutz Jr. and James Stuart. Steve LeBlanc trains the colt and Jacob Ramsburg is the breeder.

The top eight in each division will return in two weeks for the $67,000 Maryland Sire Stakes finals.