by Cheri Stambaugh

Berlin, MD — The Maryland Standardbred Fund races for sophomores were held on Thursday (Aug. 11) at Ocean Downs.

The trotting colts and geldings opened the evening with a non-wagering event. Speed It (Cam’s Rocket) and reinsman Jim Morand combined for their fourth straight win in stakes action at the Ocean, stopping the clock in 1:59 with Overnight Shipper getting second. Richard Hans owns, trains and bred the winner.

Lookin Sharp (Andover Hall) lived up to her name in the filly trot, lowering both the stakes and track record for the 3-year-old ladies, trotting the mile in 1:57 with Corey Callahan in the bike. John Butenschoen trains the filly for owners William Wiswell and M & L of Delaware Inc. Frederick Hertrich III is the breeder. Bold Dresser was up for place.

Race three was the first division for pacing fillies with driver Corey Callahan finding his way back to the winner’s circle behind Toms Tulip (Nuclear Breeze) in the 1:54.1 mile over betting favorite Miss Read. Thomas Cooke is the owner and breeder and Roger Hans the trainer of Toms Tulip.

Next up was the second division of pacing fillies. Jonathan Roberts gave Eternal Ring (Artzina) the perfect pocket trip catching the pacesetter Use Your Noodle right at the wire in 1:54.3. Monique Cohen trains the winner for owner Andrew Glassmeyer. Winbak Farm is the breeder.

Pilot Vic Kirby sent Double Miles (Rustler Hanover) to the front in the 1:54.2 first division of pacing colts and geldings, holding off Redneck Rally by a head. Michael and Linda English own Double Miles and John Wilkerson is the trainer, with Winkbak Farm the breeder.

Jim Morand picked up his second stakes win of the night in the second division for pacing colts and geldings, going off as race eight. Next Success (Veeza) took the lead by the quarter and the pair never looked back, crossing the finish in 1:55.1, five lengths ahead of Ideal Kiss. Les Givens has the training duties for owners Henry Faragalli III, Nanticoke Racing and Bay Pond Racing Stable and once again Winbak Farm is the breeder.

The Maryland Horse Industry Board made their annual visit to Ocean Downs and presented several awards. Garrett Bell and Elizabeth Cheesman accepted three Touch of Class Awards for Arls Troublemaker, Muscle Hill and Joe Thomson. Fox Den Farm and Tom and Linda Winebrener received Secretary’s Citations from MHIB/Department of Ag and also from the MD DLLR for their continuing efforts to help revitalize the Maryland breeding industry.