Ocean Downs: Rookies compete in first round of Sire Stakes

A new group of Maryland Sire Stakes contenders stepped onto the track Monday night at Ocean Downs as the first preliminary leg for 2-year-old colts and geldings got underway.

Three $10,000 divisions—one on the trot and two on the pace—put some of Maryland’s promising young Standardbreds in the spotlight. For many of these 2-year-olds, Monday night represented an important first step in what could become a season-long journey toward the Maryland Sire Stakes finals.

The evening began with the first division for trotting colts and geldings, and My Mago came away with a hard-earned victory.

Driven by Jared Moyer and trained by Adrian Wisher Jr., My Mago settled into second early behind Lil Gerald, who led the field through the opening three quarters.

My Mago remained close through the middle stages before applying pressure as the field headed toward the final turn. By three-quarters, he was within a length and a half of the leader, and he continued to close through the stretch.

The son of Il Mago out of My Kid Sister finally put his head in front late and held on to win by a half-length in 2:05 2/5.

Wings Of Warning weaved his way through traffic to finish second while In The Worst Way was third after making a break soon after the start.

My Mago is owned by Rudy Hostetler of Maryland.

The first pacing division produced one of the night’s most impressive performances as Cash Is Better took control early and never gave his rivals much of a chance.

With Corey Braden driving for trainer Courtney Brooks, Cash Is Better left from post five and immediately established command.

From there, he was in complete control.

The son of More The Better N out of R B G reached the quarter in 29 2/5 and continued to lead through a half in 59 2/5. He remained four lengths in front at three-quarters in 1:28 3/5 before finishing the mile in 1:57 1/5.

Cash Is Better crossed the wire 9 1/4 lengths ahead of Lovethatsoup, with Free Shot, who miscued early, to finish third

Cash Is Better is owned and bred by Courtney Brooks of Maryland.

The final division of the evening belonged to Shootout, who delivered a professional front-end performance for his Maryland Sire Stakes debut.

Driven by Roger Plante Jr. and trained by Steve Le Blanc, Shootout left from post five and quickly established control.

The son of Wearinmysixshooter out of The New Americana reached the quarter in 30 1/5 and maintained his advantage through a half in 1:00 4/5 and three-quarters in 1:30 2/5.

Octavian mounted a serious challenge in the stretch, but Shootout remained strong and held on by a quarter-length in 1:58 4/5 sprinting home in 28 2/5.

Octavian finished second with He’s Got Talent third.

The winner is owned by Glenn Dyke of Delaware, Leblanc Racing Inc. of Delaware and James Stuart of Delaware, with Dyke also listed as the breeder.

-edited release (MD Standardbred Fund)