Ocean Downs: Favorites foiled in a pair of Maryland Sire Stakes finals

Crystals Pistol (filly trot) and Bt's Breeze (colt pace) defeated the public choice in winning their respective $67,000 Maryland Sire Stakes finals for 3-year-olds on Monday evening at Ocean Downs.

In the filly trot Crystals Pistol (Russell Foster) shot out to the lead and took the field to the opening quarter in 28 3/5. Diamonds Credit (Roger Plante Jr.) moved up on the outside first-over in the second quarter, but Crystals Pistol gave her the cold shoulder to the half, which went up on the board in 58 3/5. Crystals Pistol regained a clear lead on the third turn, and was up by a few lengths at the 1:28 2/5 three-quarters, and although she tired late, Crystals Pistol held on to win by half a length in 1:59 3/5. 2-5 favorite Gaagaa Gone (Corey Callahan), who started from the far outside post eight, followed cover, was three-wide in the backstretch and around the far turn, and came on for second, with Jas Going Away (John Wagner) third.

A daughter of Cam's Rocket, Crystals Pistol is trained by Arlene Cameron for owner/breeder Syl King Jr. This was Crystals Pistol's fourth career win, and she has now earned $77,271. Racing as part of a three-horse entry that was the second choice at 3-2, Crystals Pistol returned $5.00 to win.

The colt pace final saw Bo Breeze (Callahan) on point at the 27 1/5 opening quarter and the 56 second half, but pocket-sitter Lloyd's All In (Jared Moyer) inherited the lead when Bo Breeze lugged out into the two-path passing the half. Lloyd's All In would go on to reach three-quarters in 1:24 2/5, but he was under first-over pressure from Allie's Finale (Plante Jr.), the 1-2 favorite, and Bt's Breeze (Victor Kirby), who had been last at the opening quarter, was surging three-wide. Bt's Breeze continued his advance on the final bend, overhauled Lloyd's All In in the lane, and went on to win by a length and a quarter in 1:54 4/5. Lloyd's All In had to settle for second, with Allie's Finale third.

Bt's Breeze, a gelded son of Nuclear Breeze, is owned and trained by Bryan Truitt Jr. Bt's Breeze is now a six-time winner in his life, and he has a bankroll of $80,685. An 8-1 shot, Bt's Breeze paid $18.60 to win.