Ocean Downs: Rookies tussle in Maryland Sire Stakes finals

Four $85,000 Maryland Sire Stakes finals for 2-year-olds topped Wednesday night's program at Ocean Downs.

Only I Exist (Russell Foster) and New Concept (John Wagner) faced off in the non-wagering filly trot, and Only I Exist won by 26 1/2 lengths over her foe after leading through panels of 30 3/5, 1:01 1/5 and 1:32 3/5. Richard Hans bred, owns and trains Only I Exist, a daughter of Yall Beneath Me who has won three of four starts and earned $70,506.

In the colt and gelding trot, K J Dash (Victor Kirby) put up fractions of 30 2/5, 1:01 3/5 and 1:32 1/5 on his way to a 3 1/4 length victory in 2:02 2/5. Locked Out (Johnathan Ahle) was second from the pocket and Yall Racing Snails (Jonathan Roberts) got third. K J Dash, a Lockkeeper gelding trained by John Wagner for owners/breeders Pamela Wagner and Scott Woogen, has a record of 3-1-0 from four outings and has banked $58,412. He returned $2.60 to win.

Rusty's Baby Ruth (William Carter) tracked the cover of Yourgracefound Me (Eric Davis) in the filly pace, and although Yourgracefound Me cleared to the top on the final bend and left Rusty's Baby Ruth first-up, Rusty's Baby Ruth forged on and had the better kick in the lane to prevail by three lengths in 1:57 4/5. Yourgracefound Me had to settle for second and Covid For Real (John Wagner) was third. The winning daughter of Rusty's For Real was sent out by Elwood Tignor for owner/breeder Ashley Page. Rusty's Baby Ruth is a three-time winner in four starts, has put away $53,875 and returned $4.00 to win.

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Colt and gelding pacers completed the finals, and For You Girls (Ahle) was in the lead at the 29 1/5 quarter, 59 1/5 half and 1:28 2/5 three-quarters en route to a 1:57 triumph. He defeated pocket-sitter The Editor (William Long) by a length and three-quarters, and Cloggs For Real (John Wagner) checked in third. For You Girls made his third appearance in the winner's circle for trainer Katie Callahan and owner/breeder Brian Callahan, and he has now stashed away $52,750. He paid $2.10 to win.