Honky Tonk Flame wires Ocean pacers

from Ocean Downs racing publicity

BERLIN, Md. — Honky Tonk Flame controlled all the fractions on his way to a 1:55.1 win in the Tuesday (July 2) feature at Ocean Downs, an $8,000 conditioned pace.

Honky Tonk Flame and driver Jonathan Roberts protected pylon position to secure the lead over Kelseys For Real through a :28 first quarter. After a short breather, the 5-year-old Always B Miki gelding accelerated up the backstretch to repel a first-over challenge from 6-5 favorite Ladyford Dollar GB before evading his pocket rival by 1-3/4 lengths. Sunday Afternoon rallied from well back for third.

Brian Burton trains Honky Tonk Flame, whose eighth career win pushed him over $100,000 in career earnings, for Lonnie Cohen.

Drivers William Carter and Johnathan Ahle both fashioned doubles on the 11-race card.

Live racing returns to Ocean Downs on Wednesday (July 3) with a 13-race pari-mutuel card preceded by a pair of non-wagering $10,000 Maryland Sire Stakes preliminaries for 3-year-old fillies. Post time for the first stakes event is 6:45 p.m.; the wagering card gets underway at 7:05 p.m.