by Cheri Stambaugh

Berlin, MD — Sanabelle Island’s Maryland Sire Stakes record for 2-year-old pacing fillies, set on August 10, 1996, fell Wednesday night (July 18) in the first round of MSS action at Ocean Downs.

The mark of 1:58.1 did not stand a chance when driver Jim Morand pulled the Cam’s Rocket-Jamin J filly Bonnie Ben Jamin at the quarter pole and never looked back. The pair stopped the timer in 1:57.3. This was Bonnie Ben Jamin’s first pari-mutuel start for owner/breeder Brian Emerson and trainer Judy Welty.

The 2-year-old colt/gelding trot went to Perfect Tententen, a Straight Up Lindy-Dundee Lane gelding, for owner/trainer/driver Elam Petersheim. In the 2:09.2 mile, Les Givens was second with Three Two One Go, also by Straight Up Lindy.

Hillbillyhardtimes, an Up Front Charlie-Tidewater Gee Gee gelding, was the only 2-year-old colt/gelding pacer ready for this first round. He is owned and trained by Amanda Jackson, was driven by Justin Brenneman and paced his mile in 2:08.

Wednesday (July 25) will see this group back for the Summer Showdown Finals, all going for $38,000.