by Jim Whittemore, publicity director, Ocean Downs

Berlin, MD — “I’ve never driven a horse that won more than three in a row.”

On Wednesday night (August 8), W. David Hill III drove owner/trainer Gary White’s 6-year-old mare Whitesville Tara to her seventh straight win at Ocean Downs this summer. The Tagliabue bay won the second leg of the Hal Belote Memorial Late Closer Trot Series ($5.60) and with an impressive 1:58.4 score came within one-fifth of a second from tying the track trot record for an older mare.

“I saw three-quarters in 1:28 and a piece (1:28.4) and I said we’re gonna go a good mile tonight,” Hill explained after taking the lead for the first time at the top of the stretch. “Tara” has had the lead at the quarter pole in her previous six wins, but had to settle for the pocket trip this time behind 7-year-old Doggone Yankee, driven by Mark Gray.

“I didn’t want to get into a speed duel with Mark. Doggone Yankee can trot when he’s on his game,” Hill said, knowing his horse was strong even in the two-hole. “She’ll sit in the two-hole or three-hole. She’s better on the front, but she’ll do either one. She’s a very versatile mare.”

Whitesville Tara, the 2006 Ocean Downs Horse of the Meet, won the opening leg of the Hal Belote Memorial on August 1 in 2:00 and will trot in the final two legs of the series on Wednesday, August 15, and August 22.

In the other division of the series on Wednesday night, 8-year-old Contessa’s Victory notched a solid 1:59.4 as Ray Robinson, Jr. brought the 1-2 favorite home for his second win in four starts at the Ocean Oval ($3.00). The Dancer’s Victory gelding had not raced since December before coming to the Ocean.

“Shorty” Robinson’s win was his 43rd of the current meet, which has only ten race dates remaining in the 40-day meet. Frank Milby had a driving double on Wednesday and after 30 nights has 46 victories, which leads all drivers.

W. David Hill III also had a pair of wins. In addition to Whitesville Tara, he also guided Tale Of Desire, a 3-year-old filly he owns and trains, to her second lifetime win with a perfect pocket trip ($17.00).

Driver Robert White also had two winners on Wednesday, including a final race victory with 4-year-old Toy Power, which edged 10-year-old Horcano (Frank Milby) in a photo finish ($19.80).

In the chase for leading training honors, Joseph Eisenhower, Sr. earned his 13th victory this summer as 6-year-old Big J’s Bad Boy, driven by Brandon Givens, won his fourth of the meet ($5.60, 1:56.3). Shawn Armour’s 16 training wins are still tops at the Ocean this year.

Racing resumes Thursday night (August 9) with the second leg of the Alan Myer Memorial Late Closer Trot Series. In the two opening leg divisions, Ben Joe’s Way (Mark Gray/Charles Leager II) and Moon City Special (Sam Belote/Sam Belote) were winners.

Another big night of racing is fast approaching at Ocean Downs, which is hosting the 2007 Chesapeake Bay Racing Series on Wednesday, August 15. Two pacing and two trotting races will be run with purse money of $25,000 up for grabs in each race.

Live racing at Ocean Downs continues its Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday format through August 25 with a nightly 7:35 p.m. first post. Parking and admission are free. For more information, call the track at (410) 641-0600.