A new group of Maryland Sire Stakes contenders stepped onto the track on Monday, Aug. 17 at Ocean Downs as the first preliminary leg for two-year-old colts and geldings got underway.

Three $13,889 divisions — one at the trot and two at the pace — put some of Maryland’s promising young Standardbreds in the spotlight. For many of these two-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 two-year-old trotting colts and geldings, and My Mago came away with a hard-earned victory in his career debut.

Driven by Jared Moyer and trained by Adrian Wisher Jr., My Mago settled into second early behind Lil Gerald (Russel Foster), who led the field through the opening three-quarters in panels of :30.4, 1:03 and 1:34.2. My Mago remained close through the middle stages before applying pressure as the field headed toward the final turn. 

By three-quarters, My Mago 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 for the 2:05.2 win in the tight finish. Wings Of Warning (Stephen Smith) weaved his way through traffic to finished second while even-money favourite In The Worst Way (Corey Baden) was a neck back in third after making a break soon after the start.

My Mago is owned by Rudy Hostetler of of Charlotte Hall, 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 to remain undefeated.

With Corey Braden driving, trainer Courtney Brooks's homebred colt 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 and continued to lead through a half in :59.2. He remained four lengths in front at three-quarters in 1:28.3 before finishing the mile in 1:57.1. Cash Is Better crossed the wire 9-1/4 lengths ahead of Lovethatsoup (William Carter) with Free Shot (Jonathan Roberts), who miscued early, recovering to finish third.

Cash Is Better was the bettors' choice following a Maryland Standardbred Fund Stakes victory last time out in a career-best 1:56.2 clocking and is now three-for-three to start his career.

The final pacing division of the evening belonged to heavy favourite Shootout, who delivered a professional front-end performance to take a new lifetime mark.

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 and maintained his advantage through a half in 1:00.4 and three-quarters in 1:30.2. Octavian (Russell Foster) mounted a serious challenge in the stretch, but Shootout remained strong on the front-end, winning in 1:58.4 after a :28.2 sprint home. Octavian finished 1-1/4 lengths behind in second with Hes Got Talent (Eric Davis) rounding out the top three.

Shootout has finish top two in his first five career starts, with this being his third win. He is owned by breeder Glenn Dyke of Townsend, Delaware, along with Leblanc Racing of Felton, Delaware and James Stuart of Harrington, Delaware.

(With files from Maryland Standardbred Fund)