Brutus Bayama makes Stevenson Memorial win #12

BERLIN, Md. — After grinding to the front, Brutus Bayama (Betterthancheddar) outlasted a sustained push from Make Some Waves to win the $23,500 final of the Diane “Mum” Stevenson Memorial, for harness racing claiming pacers, on Thursday (Aug. 8) at Ocean Downs.

Brutus Bayama was rated in midfield by Johnathan Ahle behind a :27.2 first-quarter duel that saw Candys Image Rocks (driven by Jonathan Roberts) and Hundie N (Eric Davis) dispute the lead. Ahle moved Brutus Bayama off the pegs with five-eighths to go, and the 7-year-old gelding ground to the lead with just under three-eighths remaining.

Shortly after he cleared a tiring Candys Image Rocks, he faced immediate pressure from Make Some Waves (Jason Thompson), and the two sparred past three-quarters in 1:26.2 and through the far turn. Despite the tough journey, Brutus Bayama held firm in the stretch, repelling Make Some Waves by a half a length in 1:55.2. Bet On Buter (Tony Morgan) emerged out of traffic to save third as the 8-5 favorite.

Joe Hundertpfund Jr. trains Brutus Bayama, a 12-time winner who returned $7.00 as the 5-2 second choice, for Sartin Racing and Richard Ashley.

The series was named for Diane “Mum” Stevenson, who died in 2023 after enjoying a six-decade career in harness racing as a chart caller and program editor.

Ahle won four races on the 11-race card.

Live racing returns to Ocean Downs on Sunday (Aug. 11); first post is 7:05 p.m.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

From Ocean Downs