Pacer stuns at 11-1 in Ocean claiming series

BERLIN, Md. — After finishing third and second in the first two preliminary harness racing rounds, Too Soon BG (Betterthancheddar-Lily Star BG) turned a pocket ride into an 11-1 upset in the third leg of the Diane ‘Mum’ Stevenson Memorial Series, for $12,500 claiming pacers, on Thursday (Aug. 1) at Ocean Downs.

In the last of three divisions, William Carter kept the pocket closed with Too Soon BG as Hundie and Bit Of Luck dueled through a :27.1 first quarter and 7-5 favorite Bet On Buter faltered in the backfield. The 6-year-old gelding vacated the golden chair on the final turn and powered clear to win by a widening 3-3/4 lengths in 1:54.3. Make Some Waves and Righthererightnow — 22-1 and 23-1, respectively — completed the ticket.

Christopher Sharpe trains Too Soon BG, who paid $24.20 to win, for Anthony Carson Jr.

The second division saw 3-2 favorite Candys Image Rocks (Rockin Image) score his second win in the series, controlling splits of :28.1, :57.1 and 1:25.4 en route to a 1-1/2-length score over two-time series winner Southwind Dredge. Jonathan Roberts drove the new acquisition for trainer Michael Hall, who claimed the the 7-year-old gelding out of the second leg of the series.

In the opening division, 3-5 favorite Brutus Bayama sustained an extended first-over grind to reel in pacesetter Cntnobdytelmenothn and evade Franzo by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:54.4. Johnathan Ahle drove for trainer Joe Hundertpfund Jr.

The series concludes next Thursday (Aug. 8) with a $12,500-added final.

Roberts and Trae Porter led all drivers with three wins apiece on the 11-race card.

Live racing at Ocean Downs resumes Sunday (Aug. 4); first post is 7:05 p.m.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

From Ocean Downs Media