Berlin, MD --- There were eight divisions of 3-year-old Maryland Standardbred Fund Stakes contested on Thursday (Aug. 13) at Ocean Downs.
The first division of 3-year-old trotting fillies started the night’s non-wagering events. Driver Truman Gale sent Stories To Tell (RC Royalty-Speed Talker) right to the front from the outside, holding off a late challenge from About To Explode (Explosive Matter-My Foolish Dream) before stopping the clock in 2:00.1. George Ducharme trains and co-owns with Robert Guerrini and Paul Fontaine.
Callmemza (Great George Two-Endorphan Annie), driven by Jonathan Roberts, brushed past the field going to the three-quarter pole, then drew away from the pack and won by almost 12 lengths to take the second division for filly trotters in 1:59.4. William B. Roberts, Graham Grace Stables and M & W Stables own Callmemza and Bib Roberts trains.
Next on the early card were two divisions for colt and gelding trotters. Broken Record (Muscles Yankee-Miss Garland) with Ray Schnittker in the bike continued their winning streak in Maryland Standardbred Fund action over Let It Go (Impel Hanover-Mica), hitting the wire in 2:02. Schnittker also trains and co-owns with Ted Gewertz.
Lucas Wallin and Smart As A Whip (Donato Hanover-Smarter Than Smart) took command at the quarter-mile in posting a 1:59.3 victory over Doggone Slots (Doggone Yankee-Juanna Play Slots) in the second division for colt/gelding trotters. Ake Svanstedt trains for owner Courant A B.
In the first division for colt and gelding pacers, the camera could not separate the horses in the 1:54.1 mile, producing the first dead heat in recent years in the Maryland stakes. Vic Kirby sent Quick Art (Artzina-Quick Question) to the lead, leaving Toms Typhoon with Roger Plante Jr. in the pocket. The stretch drive had the cheering crowd on their feet with the officials declaring both horses the winners. Quick Art is owned by Mo Coo Inc. and Jonathan Klee and trained by Josh Green. Toms Typhoon is owned by Thomas Cooke and trained by Roger Hans.
Smart Zone (Rocknroll Hanover-Open Book) started the filly pacers off with a nine length victory in 1:56.2 for owner Roslyn Delguadio. Matias Ruiz trains and James Lackey was in the bike. Giddylicious (Cam's Card Shark-Pocketbookchampion) was second.
The final division of pacing colts and geldings went to Toms Tornado (Cam’s Rocket-Nuclear Folks) over K J Ben (Riggins-Winsmith Karen) in 1:55.1. Jonathan Roberts was the reinsman for trainer Roger Hans and owner Thomas Cooke.
Driver Vic Kirby pulled Rumor Mill (The Panderosa-Chippie Gabby) before the half, finally getting the lead at the head of the stretch, then holding off Cover Model (Dragon Again-Fashion Sureal) to stop the clock in 1:55.3 for the second division of filly pacers. Jim King Jr. trains for CC Racing and Joann Looney-King.
The Maryland Horse Industry Board and Department of Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder presented two State of Maryland Citations in the winner's circle after the third race. The first was to Maryland trainer Ken Schlotzhauer for his many training titles and the second was to ‘War Horse’ Wynnfield Scamp and owner Pam Polk. The 13-year-old stallion just won his 40th career race and has had 253 starts, with 48 seconds and 33 thirds.