Ocean Downs: Sophomore fillies compete in second leg of Maryland Sire Stakes
The second preliminary leg of the Maryland Sire Stakes for 3-year-old filly pacers and trotters highlighted Wednesday night’s card at Ocean Downs, with two pacing divisions and one trotting division contested for purses of $10,000.
The evening opened with the first pacing division, where I Say That Too continued her impressive sophomore campaign with another dominant performance. Driven by Corey Braden and trained by Stacey McLenaghan, the daughter of Rusty’s For Real controlled the race from gate to wire, posting fractions of 28 1/5, 58 4/5 and 1:27 1/5 before drawing away to a comfortable five-length victory in 1:56 3/5. I’m Feeling Spicy chased gamely to finish second, while Miss Val’s Way completed the trifecta.
The lone trotting division produced the night’s most dramatic finish as Progressivekathy rallied in deep stretch to collar pacesetter Twisted Janet by a head. Russell Foster guided the Ronald Millman trainee to her second consecutive Maryland Sire Stakes victory, with the daughter of Il Mago stopping the timer in 1:59 2/5. Twisted Janet turned in a determined effort after setting every fraction before settling for second, while More Than Tipsy finished a distant third.
The second pacing division featured another thrilling finish as That’sloveto held off the late bid of More Than Better by a head in 1:57 2/5. Driver Johnathan Ahle put the Dominik Miga-trained filly on the lead from the outset, and the daughter of Dapper Dude dug in through the lane after carving out fractions of 28 1/5, 58 and 1:28. More Than Better closed strongly but came up just short, with Areta finishing third.
With two preliminary legs now complete, the sophomore fillies will look ahead to their respected finals on Wednesday, July 29 at Ocean Downs.
Point Standings (3YOFP)
More Than Better 75
That’sloveto 62
Pamfin 58
I Say That Too 56
I’m Feeling Spicy 37
Miss Val’s Way 37
Cedar Lane Lover 33
Areta 20
-edited release (Ocean Downs)