A record-setting performance highlighted an exciting night of Maryland Standardbred Fund Stakes competition on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at Ocean Downs as the state’s freshman fillies took center stage in four divisions.
The richest race of the evening produced its most memorable performance as 1-5 favourite Nobody Knows It turned in a history-making mile in the $72,183 Maryland Standardbred Fund division for two-year-old trotting fillies.
Corey Callahan sent the Richard Hans trainee directly to the lead entering the first turn, and the daughter of Betting Gangster S-Goo Luck Charm never looked back. Setting measured fractions of :29.1, :58.3 and 1:28, Nobody Knows It remained comfortably in control before drawing away to a two-length victory in 1:57.1.
The time of the mile established both a new Ocean Downs track record and a new Maryland Standardbred Fund stakes record for two-year-old trotting fillies, adding another accomplishment to an already impressive young career.
Owned and bred by Richard Hans of Westminster, Maryland, Nobody Knows It improved to two-for-two in her career while stamping herself as one of the premier freshman trotters in the region.
Sister Saloon (Chris Shaw) raced gamely to finish second, while the winner's stablemate, Thats It For You (Russell Foster), closed well to complete the trifecta.
The first $29,317 division for two-year-old pacing fillies produced the night’s first surprise as 8-1 shot All That Rusty rallied from just off the pace to upset Land Of The Free and Blaze Of Glory.
Anthony Morgan guided the Herman Hagerman trainee into perfect striking position before unleashing a determined stretch drive. After sitting in third through panels of :28.2, :58.4 and 1:28.2, All That Rusty edged past the pocket-popping late leader, Land Of The Free (Brandon Givens), in the final strides to prevail by a neck in 1:58.2 after pacing her final quarter in :29.2. The pacesetting favourite, Blaze Of Glory (William Carter), finished five lengths back in third.
Owned by Hagerman Racing of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, the daughter of Rustys For Real-Allthatjazz De Vie rewarded her connections with a hard-fought victory in her career debut over a field that featured several highly regarded freshmen.
The second freshman pacing filly division featured another outstanding performance as Secret Sign turned back overwhelming favourite Buenas Dias in an exciting stretch battle.
Corey Braden put the daughter of Heston Blue Chip-Heavenly Sign on the lead from the rail and controlled the tempo through fractions of :29.1, :59.2 and 1:28.3. Buenas Dias (Russell Foster) mounted a determined challenge in the stretch, but Secret Sign dug in courageously to prevail by a nose in 1:57.1 as the 5-1 second choice. Shes Got Sass (Anthony Morgan) recovered from an early break and finished third, nearly five lengths behind.
Trained by co-owner Stacey McLenaghan and owned along with Deborah Warnick of Saluda, Virginia, Secret Sign was purchased for $7,042 last fall from the Standardbred Horse Sales and earned a maiden-breaking score in her fourth start.
The stakes concluded with another impressive front-end performance as Wisdom N Grace controlled every step of the final freshman pacing filly division.
Brandon Givens wasted little time sending the daughter of Sports Column-Lislea Phia to the lead in a :29.1 opener, and the Les Givens trainee quickly opened a commanding advantage. Up by 10 lengths at the half in :59, Wisdom N Grace maintained a sizable lead through three-quarters in 1:28.1 before coasting home a comfortable four-length winner in 1:57.4 at 5-1 odds. Favourite Elastic Heart (Anthony Morgan) finished second while R U Kidding (Jared Moyer) completed the top three.
Owned by Nanticoke Racing of Seaford, Delaware, Henry Faragalli III of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and Stephen Daugherty of Lakeland, Florida, Wisdome N Grace delivered one of the evening’s most visually impressive victories in her career debut. Wisdom N Grace was a $19,718 purchase at the Harrisburg in 2025.
Maryland Standardbred Fund action continues with the three-year-olds hitting the track on Monday, Aug. 10 and Wednesday, Aug. 12.
(With files from Maryland Standardbred Fund)