Ft. Washington, MD — David Banks’ homebred Ragtime Red won her eighth straight race Wednesday night (Oct. 9), taking the $87,500 Thomas Cooke Memorial for 2-year-old filly pacers in the Maryland Sires Stakes program.
Her time of 1:52 made her the fastest 2-year-old filly pacer in the history of the program, but also tied her with Falcon’s Icon, who paced 1:52 back in 1998, as the fastest 2-year-old in track history.
“It’s just awesome to be able to drive a freak like her,” driver Trae Porter said.
Leaving from post five, Porter encountered a brief first turn challenge from Lu’s Darling leaving from post nine, but as the prompter arrived on the outside, Ragtime Red hit another gear and the suspense was over. Toys Little Tinker (Billy Carter) was second and Pawny (John Wagner) was third.
“She got really brave when the horse came up beside us,” Porter said.
Michael Hall trains the filly for Banks and she is a perfect 8-for-8 in his barn.
Brooksforreal continued his domination of the 2-year-old colt pacing group for Corey Braden and trainer John Wagner. Braden put the son of Rusty’s For Real on the point just after the opening quarter and went on to an easy 4-3/4 length win in 1:52.4. Kelsey Wagner owns the freshman gelding, bred by Pamela Wagner. Rusty’s Lancelot (Eric Davis) was second and Whosabrat (Jared Moyer) was third.
Richard Hans swept both non-betting trotting divisions with Yall Just Love Me and Yall Keep Dreaming. The latter is now 7-for-7 and both were piloted by Johnathan Ahle.
JL Cruze won the $11,000 Open Trot for Russell Foster in 1:54, notching his 70th career win, and Cindy Jo used a perfect pocket trip from Foster to win the $10,000 Mares Open in the finale.