Ft. Washington, MD — Russell Foster and Only I Exist made it seven for eight lifetime as she won her seasonal debut in Maryland Sires Stakes competition Tuesday night (April 30) at Rosecroft in 1:59.
Richard Hans conditions the filly he bred and owns, and the sophomore daughter of Yall Beneath Me has banked over $140,000 as she took home top prize in the first of two $10,000 preliminary legs.
Emily’s Locket finished second in her lifetime debut and is first horse to keep the margin of victory under 10 lengths against the current champion. Les Givens conditions and drives the trotting filly for Mike Brenton.
Last year, K J Dash was the dominant trotter in the Maryland Sire Stakes freshman program for colts and geldings and laid down the gauntlet in his first mile of 2024.
As War Pony labored on the lead in the stretch, K J Dash and driver Victor Kirby outsprinted the pocket sitting Geralds A Keeper to win in 1:58.1 for owners Pamela Wagner and Scott Woogen. John Wagner trains the winner who is now eight for 11 lifetime and a winner of $162,809.
Fancy Like That, who won the last 2-year-old MDSS final in October, got back to her winning ways, easing to a 1:54.4 victory, picking up her second win in 2024. The daughter of Rusty’s For Real had tuned up racing against some talented older mares with lukewarm results, but had little trouble for driver Johnathan Ahle and trainer Kasey Bendix, who co-bred and co-owns the winner with Virginia Marvel.
Last year, Cloggs For Real showed a lot of talent and immaturity, winning just two of 10 races. One came in a MDSS prelim and Tuesday night, the son of Rusty’s For Real emulated his start of 2023 with a 1:53.2 upset for Corey Braden at 13-1. John Wagner trains the gelding for breeder and owner Pamela Wagner.
Justin Walters took the $10,000 Mares Open with Grace Rocks for Howard Taylor and trainer George Lange in 1:51.3.
Foster won four races on the card while Ahle and Frank Milby won twice.
The Jackpot-Hi 5 was hit for $61,207.95.
Rosecroft will race live on Saturday with a first race post of 7:15 p.m. following the conclusion of the Kentucky Derby.