by Jim Whittemore, publicity director, Ocean Downs

Berlin, MD — Young 18-year-old Bryan Truitt, Jr. carded his first pari-mutuel driving win on Thursday night, June 26, at Ocean Downs with Ldees Katrina, and two races later, 74-year-old veteran driver/trainer James Porter was in the bike for a win by 3-year-old filly Gloria’s Girl.

Truitt’s heart was pumping after he returned to the paddock from the winner’s circle.

“It is. I don’t know what to say, first time I got to drive,” he said, realizing he was a perfect one-for-one as a harness driver. The young Truitt learned the harness business from his dad, Bryan. “Yeah, he won the first time he drove too.”

The young Truitt is familiar with 8-year-old mare Ldees Katrina, owned and trained by Gerald Moore, Jr.

“I qualified her six times probably. She’s a good mare,” he said.

Bryan, Sr. was listed to drive the Artscape mare, but Bryan, Jr. got the late call (1:59.4, $5.40).

Porter has excelled at the Ocean Oval during a long and distinguished racing career. In 1995, he drove Mr Bonebreaker to a world record :58.4 for a half-mile trot and in 2002, he owned, trained and drove the Ocean Downs Horse of the Year, pacer Pharlapatross.

On Thursday night, 3-year-old filly Gloria’s Girl (1:59.1 career fastest, $6.00), trained and driven by Porter, won the first leg, second division of the Austin Thomas Memorial late closer stakes series. It was the fourth straight win for the Eugene Landy-owned Arturo-Rare Rabbit mare, who had three wins at Goshen earlier this month.

The winner of the first division of the Austin Thomas Memorial Series on Thursday night was 4-year-old mare Bring It Home ($7.60). The Western Hanover-Day Dreams mare, owned, trained and driven by Eddie Nickle, paced the mile in 1:56.4, her career best.

“She really does like racing down here. She broke her maiden down here last year. It’s a change of scenery,” Nickle said after racing her recently at Harrington. Bring It Home finished second at the Ocean on June 21 after winning at the Ocean Oval on June 15. Asked what he liked best about his horse, he said “the breeding.”

Driver/trainer William Carter extended his lead in the early stages of the driver’s title chase with his ninth win of the meet. He had the lines with 6-year-old gelding Tuff Town, who won his first race of the year ($9.60).

Driver Frank Milby returned to Ocean Downs from successful meets at Rosecroft, where he is the leading driver, and Harrington and won his fourth of the summer meet. Milby led 3-5 favorite Eyes The Prize to a convincing five length win ($3.40) for trainer/owner Pam Polk.

Ocean Downs racing on Saturday, June 28, features the third leg of the four-leg Bud Light Pace stakes series. The 4-year-old Presidential Sam has a pair of wins in the first two legs.

Racing continues its Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday format through closing night, August 24. Upcoming promotions at the Ocean Oval include a fireworks display on both Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4. The Lone Ranger and his white horse Silver will make a track appearance on Wednesday and Thursday, July 2 and 3. For further information, call Ocean Downs at (410) 641-0600.