Ocean Downs: Le Blanc, Wearinmysixshooter sweep Sire Stakes pacing divisions

Maryland’s 2-year-old pacing and trotting colts and geldings returned to Ocean Downs on Monday (Aug. 24) for the second preliminary leg of the Maryland Sire Stakes, with Shootout, Free Shot and Wings Of Warning collecting victories in three $10,000 divisions.

Trainer Steve Le Blanc and freshman sire Wearinmysixshooter stole the spotlight on the pacing side of the program, sweeping both divisions with Shootout and Free Shot, while Wings Of Warning produced an impressive last-to-first rally in the lone trotting division.

Shootout kicked off the stakes action with the fastest performance of the three divisions, taking the first pacing split in 1:57 2/5 for driver Roger Plante Jr.

Starting from the rail, Plante wasted little time establishing control with the son of Wearinmysixshooter–The New Americana. Shootout led the field through fractions of 28 2/5, 59 1/5 and 1:29 3/5, with opening-leg winner Cash Is Better sitting closest to the leader throughout.

The moderate middle fractions set the stage for a sprint to the finish, and Shootout was ready.

Plante called on his colt entering the stretch and Shootout responded with a 27 4/5 final quarter, holding Cash Is Better at bay by a length.

Cash Is Better, the 1-5 favorite, matched Shootout’s closing quarter but could get no closer, finishing second in 1:57 3/5.

Octavian turned in a noteworthy effort to finish third. After trailing the leader by 16 1/2 lengths at the opening quarter, he steadily worked his way back into contention and finished in 1:58 4/5.

Shootout is trained by Le Blanc for owners Glenn Dyke, Leblanc Racing Inc. and James Stuart. The colt was bred by part owner, Glenn Dyke.

Two races later, Free Shot completed the sweep for Le Blanc and Wearinmysixshooter, capturing the second pacing division in 1:58 4/5.

Sent off as the 2-5 favorite, Free Shot and driver Jonathan Roberts left alertly from post two and moved to command early. Once in control, Roberts was able to rate the son of Wearinmysixshooter–Free Flight Fran through fractions of 29 2/5, 1:00 1/5 and 1:29 1/5.

He’s Got Talent tracked the leader closely from second and remained within striking distance entering the stretch.

The two youngsters battled through the final eighth, with He’s Got Talent steadily cutting into the leader’s advantage. Free Shot had enough left to fend off the challenge, however, reaching the wire a half-length in front in 1:58 4/5.

He’s Got Talent finished second in the same clocking after pacing his final quarter in 29 1/5. Major Dapper closed in 29 to grab third in 1:59 1/5.

Only 2 3/4 lengths separated the entire five-horse field at the finish.

Free Shot is trained by Le Blanc for owners Glenn Dyke and Douglas Johnson and was bred by Winbak Farm.

The victory completed an impressive double for Le Blanc, Wearinmysixshooter and Dyke, who holds ownership interests in both pacing winners.

While the pacing divisions were decided largely from the front, the evening’s lone trotting division featured a dramatically different trip.

Wings Of Warning and driver Steve Smith came from last to first to capture the $10,000 event in 2:05 1/5.

Smith was content to settle the son of Wings Of Royalty–Concentration at the back of the six-horse field while Lil Gerald established the pace through fractions of 31 1/5, 1:03 2/5 and 1:34 4/5.

At the half, Wings Of Warning remained sixth and 11 3/4 lengths behind the leader.

Then Smith went to work.

Wings Of Warning launched his bid on the backstretch, advancing rapidly on the outside and moving from sixth into striking position approaching the final turn. After sitting nearly a dozen lengths behind at the half, he had cut the deficit nearly in half by three-quarters.

Turning for home, Wings Of Warning continued to build momentum and swept into contention.

Opening-leg winner My Mago, who had tracked the leader throughout much of the mile, battled gamely through the stretch, but Wings Of Warning’s late momentum proved too much.

Wings Of Warning trotted his own final quarter in a field-best 29 1/5, completing the last-to-first rally and defeating My Mago by three-quarters of a length in 2:05 1/5.

My Mago finished second in 2:05 2/5, while longshot Doc’s Mago rallied to finish third in 2:06. Lil Gerald faded to fourth after setting the fractions.

Wings Of Warning is trained by Dawn Anderson and owned and bred by Raymond Campbell Jr.

Maryland Sire Stakes action continues on Wednesday (August 26) with preliminary leg #2 for two-year- old fillies. First post is 6:40 pm.

-edited release (Maryland Standardbred Fund)