Richard Hans' homebred Only I Exist rolled to her seventh win in as many starts in her sophomore season with a 1:57 score in the $63,014 Maryland Standardbred Race Fund (MSRF) Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies, held on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at Ocean Downs.
Only I Exist and driver Russell Foster had no trouble clearing the lead from post two, and the pair seated Going Platinum (Corey Callahan) in the pocket on the first turn. The complexion of the race changed abruptly when 1-2 favourite Six Inch Heels (Troy Beyer), who yielded to the three-hole from her pole position, broke stride entering the backstretch. This allowed Only I Exist to coast unopposed through splits of :28.4, :59.1 and 1:28 before using :29 closing speed to evade Going Platinum by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:57. I See A Star (Johnathan Ahle) narrowly collared the tiring FD Pure Platinum (Justin Parker) for third, 13-1/4 lengths farther behind.
Only I Exist, a daughter of Yall Beneath Me-Get Rich Quick who Hans also trains, paid $9.80 to win as the 7-2 third choice. She now has won 13 of her 14 career races and banked $333,619.
Two $36,301 MSRF splits for three-year-old pacing fillies were also contested, with Hurrikaneaphrodite ($2.10) and driver Corey Callahan evading Bridge Of Love in 1:56 for trainer John McDermott and the partnership of Jonathan Klee Racing, Justin Bolasci, Big George Stables and Hurrikane Racing in the first division; and Silly Choice ($20.20) and driver William Carter defeating 1-20 favourite Leannes Choice by two lengths in 1:55 for trainer Cory Mumford and owner Ezy Ranch. Winbak Farm bred both victorious pacing fillies.
Russell Foster, Johnathan Ahle and Trae Porter all recorded driving doubles on the 11-race card.
Live harness racing resumes at Ocean Downs on Thursday, Aug. 15. First post is 7:05 p.m.
(Ocean Downs)