Foster, Crissman-Bier double in Ocean series
from Ocean Downs Racing Publicity
BERLIN, Md. — Driver Russell Foster and trainer Crissy Crissman-Bier combined to win two of Thursday’s (July 11) four $7,500 first-round divisions of the Diane ‘Mum’ Stevenson Memorial Series, for $7,500 claiming pacers, at Ocean Downs.
(courtesy K. Moyer Photography): Southwind Dredge (#4) ground late to nab Bit Of Luck in the first round of the Diane ‘Mum’ Stevenson Memorial Series, giving driver Russell Foster one of his four wins on Thursday at Ocean Downs.
Foster teamed Crissman-Bier trainee Southwind Dredge to a 1:55.4 win in the second division for P T Stable, but the pair had an eventful journey to the winning post. The 7-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding sustained his first-over ascent up the backstretch but was shoved three-wide as leader Point Place drifted off the pegs at three-quarters in 1:25.3. Southwind Dredge was headed by pocket rival Bit Of Luck — who inherited the inside path — turning for home but battled back to prevail by a head and return $11.40 to win.
Hundie N’s 1:57.1 win in the fourth division proved much less eventful and capped a series double for his trainer and driver. Sent off the prohibitive 1-9 favorite, the 10-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding coasted unopposed through splits of :28.1, :58.4 and 1:28.2 before using :28.4 late speed to edge 2-1/4 lengths clear of Norm At Work for owner Wade Wyatt. Hundie N paid $2.20 to win.
Also victorious in series action were Candys Image Rocks ($2.80, William Carter), who turned aside sustained pressure from Luckisontheway before widening his lead to 1-3/4 lengths at the end of a 1:55.4 mile for trainer Jamie Vance; and Sweet Lil ($23.80, Trae Porter), who sat patiently in third before accelerating late to nab Cntnobdytelmenothn in 1:55.4 for trainer Jason Skinner.
Foster led all drivers with four wins on the 12-race card while meet-leading reinsman Johnathan Ahle posted a triple. Nicole Ratledge joined Crissman-Bier with a training double.
Live racing returns to Ocean Downs on Sunday (July 14) with a 12-race card headlined by the second round of the Maryland Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings. First post is 7:05 p.m.
