Maryland stallions take the stage at Ocean Downs

A renaissance of Maryland breeding is taking place as a trio of Maryland Standardbred Fund harness racing events were all won by Maryland stallion sired offspring. Staying close to home, the winners resembled a Maryland Sires Stake event as three-year-old pacing colts and geldings along with trotting fillies were on stage at the ocean oval.

The first $25,375 split for the pacing colts and geldings opened the card with Babes All In (Rusty’s All In) taking the lead passed the quarter, and was never headed, stopping the clock in 1:54, one- and three-quarter lengths in front of the pocket sitting Center Of It All (Rusty’s All In). Jared Moyer received the driving assignment from Owner-trainer-breeder Ronald Short.

The lone race for sophomore trotting fillies went for a purse of $47,000. Once again, the tight rivalry between Call Me Goo (Googoo Gaagaa) and Goolishness (Googoo Gaagaa)ended with a neck separating them in the 1:57.4 mile. Call Me Goo picked up her 7^th win in 8 starts in 2023 sweeping her three-year-old Maryland stakes. Jonathan Roberts was in the bike for trainer Jason Skinner and owner Graham Grace Stables LLC. William ‘Bib’ Roberts is the breeder.

The final three-year-old stake was the $25,475 second division for the colt and gelding pacers. Reinsman Russell Foster sent Smooth Rocket (Cam’s Rocket) wire to wire in 1:55 over the half mile oval, winning by three lengths with Sweetheart Deal (Downbytheseaside) taking the place spot. Smooth Rocket is trained by Megan Foster, owned by Russell Foster Racing LLC and bred by Brian Emerson.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Cheri Stambaugh, for Ocean Downs