by Jim Whittemore, publicity director, Ocean Downs

Berlin, MD — Many of the top 2- and 3-year-old trotters and pacers in Maryland will be highlighted at Ocean Downs on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

There are five Maryland Standardbred Race Fund contests for 3-year-olds set for Wednesday, August 17, with total purses of $74,700 up for grabs.

In the filly trot worth $18,500, Juanita, by CR Commando out of Nice Juan by Super Juan, goes for her eighth win in nine starts this year. Jim Morand gets the driving assignment for trainer Les Givens as their filly continues her incredible run after winning eight of nine and $177,700 as a 2-year-old.

In the Race Fund trot for colts and geldings, owner/driver Brandon Givens has the reigns with Man Of Science, by CR Commando out of Solo Act. Although the gelding trained by Les Givens was 0 for 7 in 2007 as a 2-year-old, he has won six of nine this year with earnings of over $97,000. In that same race is David Wade’s Bettis. The Sierra Kosmos-SJ’s Shad Roe colt has won seven of his 12 starts this year.

David Wade also has entered Talk All Day in the Fund Race for filly pacers. The Western Hanover-Double Talk filly is eight for 14 in her first year of competition.

The Maryland Standardbred Race Fund Series returns to the Ocean Downs track for the 2-year-olds on Thursday, August 21. Six Fund races will be worth $75,100 in total purse money.