by Jim Whittemore, publicity director, Ocean Downs

Berlin, MD — Frank Milby couldn’t have picked a more lucrative time to record a driving double at Ocean Downs. Milby, last year’s leading driver at the ocean, posted two wins on Wednesday (August 13) in the rich four-race Chesapeake Bay Series with total purses of $106,800 offered.

Twin B Scamper, an 8-year-old mare driven and owned by the 30-year-old Milby, won the pace for fillies and mares with a $26,600 purse. The Run The Table-Scamper Almahurst mare won convincingly, beating 6-year-old FD White Diamonds by four lengths (1:56, $3.80).

“She loves being first up and it worked out real well. She raced tough,” Milby said of his horse that was the Horse of the Meet at Ocean Downs in 2007 with eight wins.

In the next race, the series pace for horses and geldings with a $27,800 purse, Milby was the pilot for 5-year-old gelding Armbro David, who posted the fastest pace of the summer meet with an impressive 1:52.3 ($17.50).

“I couldn’t believe how much pace I had when I looked up and saw 1:23.4 (at the three-quarter pole),” said Milby, who had driven the son of Blissful Hall-Armbro Watts for the first time on July 20. “I got a perfect trip.”

The series trot for fillies and mares, with its $26,400 purse, was won by 4-year-old Dilly Dally Delia, driven by Victor Kirby. The Go Get Lost mare out of Navicular used the inside lane to complete a strong stretch run and edge 5-year-old Amber Alert (1:59.3, $4.00).

“She made a break for a couple steps and then came back and I was fortunate to land back in the two-hole and after that she raced super,” said Kirby, who won two of last year’s three Chesapeake Bay Series races.

The Chesapeake Bay trot for horses and geldings was won by 3-5 favorite Safari Heat, driven by Roger Plante, Jr. The Thomas Morris, Jr.-trained 6-year-old son of Striking Sahbra-Sun Victory was ready to compete for the $26,000 purse.

“He’s a good horse. He’s had some injuries this year, but they’ve worked on him and pointed him for this particular race. He was ready,” Plante said.

The winner of Wednesday’s third leg in the Hal Belote Memorial Series was 6-year-old Magic Swan (Enjoy Lavec-Swan Lake), driven by Victor Kirby, who had a driving triple on Wednesday.