Ocean Downs: Make It Right produces track record in Maryland Standardbred Fund

The Maryland Standardbred Race Fund program produced a night to remember Wednesday at Ocean Downs, and it was Make It Right who provided the biggest moment of the evening.

The 3-year-old pacing filly turned in a spectacular 1:52 1/5 performance in the second division of the Maryland Standardbred Fund, establishing both a new stakes record and a new track record for 3-year-old pacing fillies at Ocean Downs.

The performance highlighted an evening that showcased the depth of Maryland-connected Standardbred racing, with three Maryland Standardbred Fund events contested and nearly $107,000 in purses on the line.

But by the time Make It Right crossed the wire, the night had become about much more than just another Fund race.

It was about making history.

Make It Right entered the second division as one of the horses to watch, but she still had to deliver when the gate opened.

Leaving from post six with Allan Davis in the sulky for trainer Jim King Jr., the daughter of Papi Rob Hanover out of Make Mine Mocha settled into third during the early stages.

Meanwhile, heavily favored American Story, driven by Johnathan Ahle, took control and posted an opening quarter in 27 2/5 seconds.

The pace never let up.

American Story reached the half in 55 2/5, with Make It Right sitting comfortably in third. By three-quarters, the eventual winner had begun to make her move, just two and half-lengths behind the leader after a sizzling 1:23 4/5 three-quarter time.

From there, Davis asked Make It Right for everything she had.

The filly responded.

Make It Right collared American Story in the stretch and held on by a head, stopping the clock in 1:52 1/5.

The final quarter was timed in 28 2/5 seconds, completing a mile that averaged a remarkable pace from start to finish.

And when the timer stopped, a new mark had been established – 1:52 1/5, a new stakes and track record.

American Story was a courageous second, also timed in 1:52 1/5, while More Than Better finished third in 1:53 4/5.

The record-setting winner is owned by Gary McCandless of New Jersey, Jo Ann Looney-King of Delaware and Larry Rathbone of Florida, and was bred by Frederick Hertrich III of Delaware.

Pretty Pricey Opens the Evening

Before Make It Right made history, Pretty Pricey got the evening off to a fast start by winning the first division of the 3-year-old pacing fillies.

Driven by Corey Callahan and trained by Nicholas Callahan, Pretty Pricey took control early and never surrendered the lead.

The daughter of Papi Rob Hanover out of Valuable Art paced fractions of 27 4/5, 57 and 1:26 before finishing in 1:54 2/5.

Mom’s Vision remained within striking distance throughout the mile but could not get by, finishing second in 1:54 4/5. Big Mama’s Bet was third in 1:55.

The win also featured a special connection for the Callahan family. Pretty Pricey is owned and bred by Dolly Callahan and Corey Callahan, both of Delaware.

Show Pony Dominates the Trotters

The third Maryland Standardbred Fund event of the evening was a $49,800 division for 3-year-old trotting fillies, and Show Pony put on a performance of her own.

With Corey Callahan driving for trainer Richard Hans, Show Pony left from post four and quickly took command.

Once she reached the front, the race was essentially over.

Show Pony posted fractions of 28 3/5, 58 2/5 and 1:27 4/5 before finishing the mile in 1:56 4/5.

She opened up dramatically in the stretch, crossing the wire 16 ½ lengths ahead of Progressivekathy and a half length further to More Than Tipsy.

Show Pony is owned and bred by Richard Hans of Maryland.

The daughter of Captain Corey out of Upside Blue Chip delivered one of the most dominant performances of the Ocean Downs meet, while once again demonstrating the talent being produced by Maryland breeders.

A Night That Shows What the Fund Is About

Wednesday night’s races offered a perfect snapshot of why the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund is so important to the state’s Standardbred industry.

The winners represented different ownership groups, trainers and breeding programs, but they all shared something important: the opportunity to compete for significant purses while showcasing the horses and people connected to the regional Standardbred community.

There was Pretty Pricey, bred and owned in Delaware by the Callahans.

There was Show Pony, bred and owned by Maryland’s Richard Hans.

And then there was Make It Right, whose record-setting performance came from a filly bred by Delaware’s Frederick Hertrich III and owned by a partnership stretching from New Jersey to Delaware and Florida.

That regional connection is part of what makes the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund special.

The Fund races provide a place where breeders, owners, trainers, drivers and horses can come together and compete at a high level. For the people who invest in Standardbreds and work with these horses every day, a night like Wednesday is a chance to see that investment rewarded on the track.

Shaun Callahan Memorial

Wednesday night’s 3^rd race paid tribute to Shaun Callahan, who left us way too young at the age of 44 on April 6, 2026.

He was a fixture at the Maryland racetracks campaigning MD Sired horses by some of his favorites: Movie Idol, Cool Flying Fun and Masterman.

In his career he harnessed 416 winners for nearly $5 million in purse earnings.

An outpouring of support for family members and friends following the 3^rd race. Track announcer Frank Salive described it as the largest gathering in a winner’s circle he had ever seen at Ocean Downs.

-edited release (Maryland Standardbred Development Fund)