Val’s Girl a perfect eight-for-eight on the year after MDSS preliminary win

Ft. Washington, MD — Val’s Girl made a great name for herself on the half-mile at Ocean Downs during the Summer, sweeping two preliminary legs and the $75,000 final of the Maryland Sires Stakes.

Thursday night (Sept. 29) at Rosecroft, Val’s Girl improved to a perfect eight-for-eight on the year as she held off a game Spy’s Last Game in 1:56 in a $10,000 MDSS preliminary.

The freshmen filly by Rusty’s For Real, bred in Maryland by Tom and Linda Winebrener, is owned by Leblanc Racing, William Lutz Jr., and Count De Money Stable. Roger Plante drives the filly for trainer Steve Leblanc.

“Hard to believe she’s better than she was at Ocean Downs, but she really took to the bigger track nicely,” Plante said.

Joyces Real Honey, driven by Victor Kirby, took the other 2-year-old filly pace division in a lifetime best 1:58.1 for Victor Kirby. Bryan Truitt trains and co-owns the filly with Teddy and Joyce Baker.

After a disappointing fifth in the $75,000 final at the Ocean, the daughter of Rusty’s For Real was much better Thursday night.

“Bryan changed her rigging up and she was much much better. Literally driving her with two fingers,” Kirby said.

In four non-betting $10,000 preliminaries, Russell Foster won with James Brown’s Terrys Watching. The son of Charlie De Vie trotted to victory for the second time in four career starts, winning in 2:02.3.

Foster also scored a win with How Do Yoo Goo in 2:01.4. Richard Hans is owner, trainer and breeder of the son of Googoo Gaagaa.

Smooth Rocket made Foster a winner as an owner as he romped to a win in 1:54.1. The pacing son of Cam’s Rocket is now four for six in 2022 for trainer Megan Foster.

Jonathan Roberts set a new standard for freshman filly trotters in the MDSS program as Call Me Goo popped the pocket midway through the stretch to collar the leader Goolishness to win in 1:56.3. Jason Skinner trains for Graham Grace Stables.

“She was super. They came a big back half (:56.3),” Roberts said.

Jared Moyer had three wins on the wagering card. Plante, Trae Porter, and Roberts posted two wins each.

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