FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Little Instigator delivers knockout in Ocean series
from Ocean Downs Racing Publicity
BERLIN, Md. — Six days after her 1:59.2 maiden-breaking debut, Little Instigator found the winner’s circle again on Tuesday (July 9) at Ocean Downs with a 1:57.1 score in her $7,500 first-round division of the Bucky Gray Jr. Memorial Series, for 2-year-old pacers. Primo Maschio and Waitingonyou captured the other divisions.
Little Instigator set a 1:57.1 standard in the first round of the Bucky Gray Jr. Memorial Series, for rookie pacers, on Tuesday at Ocean Downs. K. Moyer Photography.
Jonathan Roberts gunned Little Instigator ($3.40) clear of Alexandria’s Dream from her outside post six. After seizing control of the terms, the Heston Blue Chip-Last Time To Play filly was never in doubt, edging 3-1/2 lengths clear of Little Instigator for her second win in as many career starts for trainer Michael Hall and owners William and Sarah MacMillan. Tater Tot Hanover held third.
Hall came back to win the third division with Primo Maschio ($3.60, Badlands Hanover-Primadonna), whom Trae Porter drove to a front-pacing 1:58.2 score over Deebo Hanover. Porter also accounted for the first division, keeping Kevin Lare trainee Waitingonyou ($2.60, Downbytheseaside-Michelles Song) three-quarters of a length in front of her stablemate Preclude to win in 2:02.2.
Roberts led all drivers with three wins on the card; Porter and Corey Braden each fashioned a double.
Live racing returns to Ocean Downs Wednesday (July 10), with the Tom Cooke Memorial Series, for 2-year-old trotters, kicking off with a pair of first-round divisions held off the card. Non-wagering series action begins at 6:40 p.m.; first post for the 12-race pari-mutuel card is 7:05 p.m.
