Ocean Downs: Nobody Kows It sets stakes and track record
The first leg of the 2026 Maryland Sire Stakes for 2-year-old fillies got underway Wednesday night at Ocean Downs, and it did not take long for the newest generation of Maryland Sire Stakes stars to make their mark.
In the opening race of the night, Nobody Knows It delivered a performance that will be remembered.
The daughter of Betting Gangster S out of Goo Luck Charm dominated the first division for trotting fillies, stopping the timer in 1:56 2/5 and establishing a new Maryland Sire Stakes record and a new Ocean Downs track record for the division.
It was a performance that announced, in emphatic fashion, that the 2026 Maryland Sire Stakes 2-year-old filly season had arrived.
With Corey Callahan in the sulky and Richard Hans handling the training duties, Nobody Knows It left from post two and immediately established control. And once she reached the front, there was very little doubt about the outcome.
Nobody Knows It opened the mile in 28 2/5 seconds and reached the half in 58 2/5. She continued to widen her advantage through three-quarters, reaching that marker in 1:27 4/5 with a 12-length lead.
The final quarter was timed in 28 3/5 seconds.
When Nobody Knows It crossed the wire, she was 11 1/4 lengths in front of her stablemate, That’s It For You.
The final time of 1:56 2/5 shattered the previous marks and gave the filly a stakes and track record in her very first Maryland Sire Stakes preliminary appearance.
That’s It For You, also a daughter of Betting Gangster S and trained by Richard Hans, finished second with Aphea finishing third.
The victory also carried an especially strong Maryland connection.
Nobody Knows It is owned and bred by Richard Hans of Maryland.
Driven by Brandon Givens for trainer Les Givens, If I Win Uwin settled just off the early leader before taking command at the half.
The daughter of Dapper Dude out of Aubergine Hanover reached the half in 1:00 1/5 and remained in control through three-quarters in 1:30 3/5.
Dapper Dudette stayed within striking distance, but If I Win Uwin responded when called upon and opened up through the stretch to win by six lengths in 1:59 3/5.
Dapper Dudette finished second in 2:00 4/5, while Cougar Roar was third in 2:01 3/5.
The winner is owned by J M B Ventures of Maryland and was bred by Micki Rae Stables LLC of Massachusetts, providing another Maryland ownership connection to the evening’s winners.
With Anthony Morgan driving for trainer Herman Hagerman, All That Rusty left from post six and quickly moved to the front.
The daughter of Rusty’s For Real out of Allthatjazz De Vie controlled the race through fractions of 29, 59 2/5 and 1:29 3/5 before finishing in 1:59 1/5.
R U Kidding, who made a strong move from the back of the field, finished second in 2:00. Paddy The Baddy was third in 2:00 1/5, with Pure Energy fourth.
The filly is owned by Hagerman Racing of Ohio and was bred by Pamela Wagner of Virginia.
These fillies are only 2 years old. The first preliminary leg is just the beginning of their journey, and Wednesday night’s performances gave trainers and owners an early look at how their young horses stack up against the competition.
For some, the night brought a breakthrough.
For others, it provided valuable experience.
And for a few, there will be plenty of time to regroup before the next opportunity.
That is what makes the preliminary legs so compelling. The horses are still developing, and the standings can change quickly as the season progresses.
-edited release (Maryland Standardbred Development Fund)