Sophomore trotting colts EI EI O and Hybrid Henry swept the top two spots in their $69,800 Maryland Sires Stakes final for horseman Richard Hans on Sunday (July 23) at Ocean Downs.
Driven by Brian Burton, EI EI O overtook his stablemate past the :28.2 quarter and opened up on top while leading through middle splits of :56.3 and 1:25.4 en route to the 1:57 victory. Hybrid Henry and Russell Foster followed two and a half lengths behind in second while third prize went to LGs Hotshoeboy and Frank Milby.
Hans trains, owns and bred both EI EI O (Cams Rocket-My Baby Momma) and multiple Maryland champ Hybrid Henry (Cams Rocket-Give Em The Boot). Unraced as a freshman, EI EI O now has five wins in 11 starts and earnings totalling $46,505.
Miss Valerie earned another Maryland title winning the $63,700 final for three-year-old filly pacers. Driven by Roger Plante Jr., the Allies Western-Flannel Yankee filly fought off A Blue Believer and Kim Vincent for the two-length victory in 1:59 flat. Whitesvillemichele recovered from an early break in stride and finished third for W. David Hill III. Steve Le Blanc trains the winner for Leblanc Racing Inc., Count De Money Stable, and William Lutz Jr.