Ocean Downs: Driving triple for Foster in Maryland Sire Stakes finals

Driver Russell Foster was victorious in three of the four $70,000 Maryland Sire Stakes finals for 2-year-olds that occurred on Wednesday night at Ocean Downs.

In the non-wagering event for filly trotters, Foster and You'll Never Be Me led through stations of 30, 1:00 4/5, and 1:32 3/5 en route to winning by 2 1/2 lengths in 2:03 4/5. Charlie's Song (Roger Plante Jr.) was the runner-up, and Lady Eleanor got third.

You'll Never Be Me, a daughter of Cam's Rocket, was bred by owner/trainer Richard Hans. This was her first win in her third start, and she has now earned $43,050. Her dam, the Tejano mare My Baby Momma, is a half-sister to Googoo Gaagaa.

The first final on the pari-mutuel card was the colt and gelding trot, and Foster and Hoofbeats De Vie scored in 2:01 1/5. Hoofbeats De Vie took the lead away from Tungsten Tim (John Wagner) after the 30 1/5 opening quarter, and following a 1:00 3/5 half and a 1:30 4/5 three-quarters, Hoofbeats De Vie came home in 30 2/5 to win by 6 1/4 lengths over Tungsten Tim. Bonjour Mary Ellen (Les Givens) held third despite getting parked and being first-over the whole way.

Chris Lakata trains Hoofbeats De Vie for owner/breeder Joie De Vie Farm. Hoofbeats De Vie, a gelded son of Charlie De Vie-Velma K, has a record 3-0-0 from four tries, and he has banked $42,540. He paid $2.10 to win as the 1-9 favorite.

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Completing Foster's hat trick was Grey Rocket in the filly pace. Grey Rocket blasted to the point from post four and was able to get by favored Predict The Future (Plante Jr.) before the 27 4/5 quarter went on the board. Grey Rocket then backed down the pace to 58 1/5 at the half and 1:28 3/5 at three-quarters, and kept clear in a 31 1/5 last quarter, bettering Predict The Future by a length and a half. Janet's For Real (John Wagner) checked in third.

The victorious daughter of Cam's Rocket-So Advanced was bred and is owned by trainer Roger Hans. Grey Rocket has two wins and a second from three trips behind the gate to go with a bankroll of $40,250. She was the 3-2 second choice and returned $5.00 to win.

The only horse not driven by Foster to win was Anthonys All In, who was steered by trainer John Wagner to a 2:01 2/5 decision in the colt and gelding pace. Anthonys All In carved out panels of 28 4/5, 1:00 2/5, and 1:31 4/5 and wound up with a big advantage when pocket-sitter Rapid Pulse (Kim Vincent) made a break before three-quarters and scattered the field. With no one close to him, Anthonys All In was able to coast in a 29 3/5 final kicker to defeat stablemate Donnys All In (Jared Moyer) by 4 1/2 lengths. Rapid Pulse crossed the line in third but was moved back to fourth behind Rusty Rambo (Plante Jr.) for causing inteference while off-stride.

Pamela Wagner bred and owns Anthonys All in, a Rusty's All In-Native Canadian colt. Anthonys All In is now a three-time winner from five appearances, and he has now stashed away $43,248. He paid $2.20 to win as the 1-9 choice.