Ocean Downs: Freshman colts shine in Maryland Standardbred Fund action

The Maryland Standardbred Fund was in action Monday night at Ocean Downs as freshman pacing and trotting colts and geldings competed. Three lucrative divisions worth more than $109,000 in purses produced a pair of exciting pacing upsets and a dominant performance from an impressive young trotter.

The opening $28,000 division for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings belonged to Fast Pass, who rallied from the back of the pack to upset a talented field at odds of 26-1.

Driven patiently by Anthony Morgan, the son of Badlands Hanover trailed through the early stages while Finest Hours, the heavy 2-5 favorite, set lively fractions of 28 1/5, 58 1/5, and 1:26 3/5.

As the field turned for home, Morgan angled Fast Pass to the outside and the colt responded with an explosive late kick, pacing his final quarter in 29 1/5 to sweep past the leaders and score by three lengths in 1:57 1/5.

Fast Pass, bred by Winbak Farm, was a $15,000 yearling purchase in the fall of 2025 at Harrisburg for owners Michael Kimelman and Joseph Costable.

Free Shot rallied to finish second for Jonathan Roberts, while longshot He’s Got Talent closed for third.

The second pacing division produced the closest finish of the evening as Cash Is Better withstood a determined late challenge from Shootout to capture the $28,250 split by a half-length.

Corey Braden put the son of More The Better N on the lead before the quarter and controlled the pace through fractions of 28 4/5, 58 4/5, and 1:27 4/5. Roger Plante Jr. guided Shootout on the attack around the final turn, drawing within a head in deep stretch, but Cash Is Better refused to surrender and held on in 1:56 2/5.

The victory gave trainer-owner-breeder Courtney Brooks an especially satisfying homebred triumph.

Shootout finished a strong second after a first-over rally, while Noparkingaftadark completed the trifecta.

The richest event of the evening, a $53,400 division for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings, showcased an impressive performance from Mike Franks.

Sent directly to the front by Ross Wolfenden, the son of Southwind Frank never faced a serious threat. After carving out measured fractions of 30 2/5, 1:03, and 1:33 2/5, Mike Franks opened daylight turning for home before drawing away to a decisive 6 1/2-length victory in 2:02 4/5.

The Deshawn Sample trainee finished with a sharp 29 2/5 final quarter to remain comfortably clear of the field.

Bleu Royale finished second after tracking the winner throughout, while Celebrity Tequila rallied for third.

Owned and bred by Michial and Linda English, Mike Franks delivered one of the most visually impressive performances of the evening.

Maryland Standardbred Fund action continues on Wednesday when 2-year-old fillies hit the track, with pacers offering three divisions and trotters one division. First post is 6:40 pm.

-edited release (Ocean Downs)