Maryland Sire Stakes a breeze for Call Me Goo

BERLIN, Md. — Taking a brief respite from Grand Circuit company, Graham Grace Stables’ Call Me Goo (Googoo Gaagaa-Callmemza) showed her class on Sunday (July 28) at Ocean Downs with a easy 1:57.3 win over four harness racing rivals in the $25,500 Maryland Sire Stakes for 4- and 5-year-old trotters.

The overwhelming 1-20 favorite, Call Me Goo strolled through early splits of :28.4 and :59.3 before picking up the tempo in the second lap and leaving pocket rival Tenouttaten behind through a :29.1 third sectional.

In line to Jonathan Roberts, who led all drivers with three wins on the 12-race card, the 4-year-old mare steadily gained more clearance through the far turn and evaded a mild rally from runner-up Hoofbeats De Vie by 4-3/4 lengths. Tenouttaten faded to third.

Jason Skinner trains Call Me Goo, who has won 21 of her 31 career starts while banking $582,168. Her five wins this season include a division of the Miss Versatility and the $170,0909 Armbro Flight final at Woodbine Mohawk Park. She paid $2.10 to win.

In the $12,000 Open 1 Handicap Pace, Iwannabewithyou (Luck Be Withyou-Bo Tox Hanover) and driver Trae Porter forged to the front shortly after Stag Party clicked off a :26.4 first quarter and then withstood a late three-wide charge from Lyons Stealth to win by a length in 1:51.3. Stag Party finished third.

Iwannabewithyou, a 5-year-old gelding with 22 career wins, is trained by Kevin Lare for Forrest Bartlett. He paid $6.60 to win.

Live racing at Ocean Downs resumes Tuesday (July 30); first post is 7:05 p.m.

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

From Ocean Downs