by Cheri Stambaugh, MSRF Administrator
Berlin, MD — Maryland Standardbred Race Fund sophomore filly pacers and colt and gelding trotters highlighted the card at Ocean Downs on a beautiful Sunday night (July 8).
The first race went as the first division for the filly pacers. Reinsman Vic Kirby pulled Pedal Power (Roddy’s Bags Again) going to the three-quarter pole, gaining on the leader with every stride. When the timer stopped in the 1:54.2 mile Pedal Power was a nose in front of Go Sandy Go (Roddy’s Bags Again). Darrell and Leah Lewis own and train the filly and Winbak Farm is the breeder.
The trotting colts and geldings were up next. The Rene Allard trained Whats The Word (Donato Hanover) dominated the field in a stakes and track record of 1:55, winning by 15-3/4 lengths over second place finisher What That Is (Cam’s Rocket). Corey Callahan drove the winner for owners Go Fast Stable, Kapildeo Singh and Earl Hill Jr. Frederick Hertrich III is the breeder.
The final stake of the night was the second split for filly pacers. The betting favorite Cool Toy (Cool Flying Fun) did not disappoint, going wire-to-wire in 1:56.3 for pilot Jason Green and owners Breakaway Racing. Elwood Tignor trains the filly and Nick Callahan is the breeder. Rissy’s All In (Rusty’s All In) was second.
Ocean Downs also hosted Hall of Fame driver John Campbell for a meet and greet with a large group of fans, both young and old. John’s wife Paula was also there spreading the word about the Standardbred Retirement Foundation and taking donations to support these retired racehorses.
The Standardbred Fund (foaled) stakes continue Monday night (July 9) with a post of 7:05 p.m.
- John Campbell is a hit with fans at Ocean Downs (Monday, July 09, 2018)
Dozens of harness racing fans lined up to meet Hall of Fame driver John Campbell at Ocean Downs Sunday (July 8). Campbell, who won more than 10,600 races in his four decades on the track, spent Sunday evening signing autographs and having his picture taken in front of the winner’s circle at Ocean Downs. Though tourists made up the bulk of the crowd at the Ocean City area racetrack, a steady line of hardcore harness racing fans kept Campbell busy as the races went off behind him.