by Cheri Stambaugh, MSRF Administrator

Berlin, MD — What That Is lowered the stakes and track record at Ocean Downs on Sunday night (July 15) in the $67,000 Maryland Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

It took a photo to determine the winner.

Driver Brian Burton sent What That Is (Cam’s Rocket) to the lead with betting favorite Chucky De Vie (Charlie De Vie) taking the pocket until the final quarter. The pair battled down the stretch before a wildly cheering crowd with What That Is holding on by a neck in the stakes and track record time of 1:57.2 for 3-year-old trotting geldings.

Judy Welty trains for owner Brian Emerson. Richard Hans is the breeder.

The fifth race was the $67,000 Maryland Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old pacing fillies. Miss Choptank (Total Truth) proved just how gritty she is when she spent most of the 1:54.3 mile on the outside trying to catch her rival HS Shauna (Up Front Charlie) where they were noes apart at the head of the stretch. When the dust settled Miss Choptank was victorious by a length for co-owners Legacy Racing of DE and Stephen Townsend. Allan Davis picked up the driving assignment from trainer Wayne Givens. Olive Branch Farm and Philip Wilson were the breeders.

Prior to the races Ocean Downs hosted a drivers meet and greet with Russell Foster and Declan Donoway and a riders meet and greet with RUS riders Sasha Moczulski, Ashley Eldred and Vanessa Karlewicz.

The RUS exhibition race went postward between the sixth and seventh race, with Hyway Marcus and Sasha Moczulski remaining undefeated in the 2:04.2 mile.

The Maryland Sire Stakes finals for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings and the trotting fillies will be raced Monday night (July 16).