Ocean Downs: Maryland Sire Stakes finals held

Four $87,500 Maryland Sire Stakes finals were featured on Wednesday night's program at Ocean Downs. Only I Exist took the filly trot, which was a non-wagering race, and then favorites Tony Babe, Geralds A Keeper and Fancy Like That were victorious on the pari-mutuel card.

Only I Exist (Russell Foster) opened up a big lead through fractions of 29, 58 4/5 and 1:27 4/5 and would defeat Emily's Locket (Les Givens) by 21 3/4 lengths in 1:56 3/5. New Concept (Corey Braden) broke before the start and rounded out the order.

Bred by owner/trainer Richard Hans, Only I Exist is a daughter of Yall Beneath Me who has won 12 times from 13 starts and has pocketed $258,006.

Tony Babe (Jonathan Roberts) won the colt and gelding pace final by half a length in 1:55 4/5 after he put up a 28 3/5 quarter, 58 2/5 half and a 1:27 1/5 three-quarters. Petes For Real (Fern Paquet Jr.) tipped out of the pocket on the last turn but couldn't get by and had to settle for second and The Editor (Frank Milby) checked in third.

Ronald Short bred, owns and trains Tony Babe, a gelded son of Rusty's For Real. He made his fourth appearance in the winner's circle in his 17th try, pushed his earnings to $113,275 and paid $3.40 to win.

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Geralds A Keeper (Trae Porter) also went down the road to take the colt and gelding trot, as he was in front through stations of 28 4/5, 58 1/5 and 1:28 en route to a 1:58 triumph. He defeated K J Dash (Victor Kirby) by two lengths, with War Pony (Foster) back in third.

Trainer John Wagner, who was first and second in this final, sent out the victorious Lockkeeper gelding for owner/breeder Pamela Wagner. Geralds A Keeper has a summary of 6-1-1 from 14 appearances, has put away $122,920 and returned $3.40 to win.

Fancy Like That romped to a 12 length tally in 1:56 in the filly pace. She was on a loose lead at the 28 2/5 quarter, 58 1/5 half and a 1:27 2/5 three-quarters and coasted in ahead of Yourgracefound Me (Eric Davis) and Marissa For Real (Adrian Wisher Jr.).

Kasey Bendix trains Fancy Like That, a Rusty's For Real filly, and also bred and co-owns her with Virginia Marvel. Fancy Like That has 16 wins and three seconds and two thirds from 26 trips behind the gate, has banked $195,040 and paid $2.10 to win.