Ocean Downs: Two Maryland Sire Stakes champions crowned on Sunday night

Two $70,000 Maryland Sire Stakes finals, one for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers and one for rookie filly trotters, took place on Sunday night at Ocean Downs.

Nvrfearlloydishere (Eddie Davis Jr.) overcame post eight to get the lead passing the 27 4/5 opening quarter in the colt and gelding pace final, and he would go on to reach the half in 57 2/5 and the three-quarters in 1:27 4/5. Entrymate and stablemate Jordons All In (John Wagner) was challenging him from first-over at three-quarters, with Don't Shock Me (Victor Kirby) following the cover. On the far turn Kirby sent Don't Shock Me three-wide, and he would out-kick a game Jordons All In through the stretch drive, prevailing by half a length in 1:57 2/5. Tough Old Hickory (William Long) finished in the third spot.

Don't Shock Me is a Nuclear Breeze-B A Card Shark (Cam's Card Shark) gelding trained by breeder and co-owner Bryan Truitt. Jerry Smith partners with Truitt on Don't Shock Me, who won for the first time in four tries and pushed his earnings to $41,800. He was part of an entry that was the second choice at 4-5 and paid $3.80 to win.

In the filly trot final Cate's A Keeper (Davis Jr.) led the way through fractions of 31 4/5, 1:03 4/5, and 1:35 2/5, but she looked in some trouble when Gooreatness (Russell Foster), who had overcome an early break to work out a second-over trip behind K J Andrea (Wagner), fanned out three-wide with trot past three-quarters. However, Gooreatness lost her action again on the far turn, and Cate's A Keeper took advantage to open up a gap on the field to the top of the lane. She needed the jump as Winnie The Goo (Kirby) closed strongly through the lane, only to run out of time as Cate's A Keeper found the wire a length to the good in 2:05. Two Itchy (Frank Milby) collected third.

Trained by Shannon Trader for owner/breeder Pamela Wagner, Cate's A Keeper is a daughter of Lockkeeper-Ja's Commando (CR Commando). Cate's A Keeper has a record of 2-2-0 from four attempts, and she has now banked $43,325. Racing as one-half of an entry with K J Andrea that was favored at even-money, Cate's A Keeper returned $4.20 to win.