By RUS MidAtlantic
(Berlin, MD) – Hyway Marcus leads a quartet of trotters in
the $4,000 season opener of RUS MidAtlantic’s 2018 Trotting Series at Ocean
Downs on Sunday, July 15, one of several events taking place as part of Ocean
Down’s celebration of National I Love Horses Day. This will be the fifth
year RUS makes a stop at the resort track and has been well-received by race
fans.
Marcus, the 7 year old son of Gut Instinct has found a
second life under saddle, sweeping the RUS MidAtlantic series last year, ridden
by owner/trainer Sasha Moczulski who will be in the saddle Sunday. Last
year the RUS specialist took the Ocean Downs leg in 2:02.1 and draws post four
for this year’s edition.
Were this to be a wagering race, there’s no doubt Hyway
Marcus would be the overwhelming favorite, but the race needs to be run before
the purse money is paid out as the possibility of an upset exists.
Rider Hillary Harnett hopes to avenge One True Friend’s
defeat to Hyway Marcus last year at Rosecroft. The 11 year old mare by
Dream Vacation is co-owned by Harnett and trainer Wesley Miller and is making
her second purse start of the season, going off-stride at Historic Track on
July 1. If the mare stays on-stride she will be a factor in this
race. One True Friend drew post position 2 in Sunday’s race.
Starting from the rail, 10 year old Traverse Seelster (pp 1)
comes into the race after a win last year in the Miller Memorial at Monticello
Raceway, his only purse start in RUS events thus far. His last start on
July 8, was in sulky at Saratoga Raceway where he finished third timed in
1:57.4 in a mid-level conditioned race. If he can flash some of his speed
under saddle, Traverse Seelster may be a threat at the wire.
Owner/Trainer Ashley Eldred rides the altered son of Angus Hall.
Flowing James (pp 3) is well prepped for this race,
competing at Historic track racing in three matinee races and one purse start
where he finished second to Armbro Hall. The 13 year old gelding by
Ilooklikemymother completed his preparations for the RUS MidAtlantic race with
a victory at the fair track in Afton, New York. The last time Traverse
Seelster raced at Ocean Downs was in 2015 when he finished second to Hyway
Marcus. Flowing James is being ridden by his lessee/trainer Vanessa
Karlewicz.
Previous winners of RUS races at Ocean Downs are: 2014 –
Truth In Action, ridden by Karen Isbell; 2015 – Hyway Marcus, Maria Buchanan;
2016 – Mr Protab, Stephanie Jacobs; 2017 – Hyway Marcus, Sasha Moczulski.
Should Hyway Marcus be victorious, it will be a hat-trick in RUS racing at
Ocean Downs.
The non-wagering RUS event is scheduled for 8:55 PM,
immediately after the sixth race on the wagering card. First race on
Sunday is scheduled for 7:05 PM. There will be a meet and greet
before and after the race.
