Graham Grace Stables' Call Me Goo returned to form in style on Sunday, July 28 at Ocean Downs, dominating the $35,417 Maryland Sire Stakes for four and five-year-old trotters with a decisive 1:57.3 victory over four competitors.
As the heavy 1-20 favourite, Call Me Goo eased through early fractions of :28.4 and :59.3 before accelerating in the second half of the race. She left pocket rival Tenouttaten behind with a :29.1 third quarter, widening her lead through the far turn. Driven by Jonathan Roberts, who topped the driver standings with three wins on the 12-race card, the four-year-old Googoo Gaagaa-Callmemza mare crossed the finish line 4-3/4 lengths ahead of runner-up Hoofbeats De Vie. Tenouttaten finished third.
Trained by Jason Skinner, Call Me Goo now boasts 21 wins from 31 career starts and has earned $655,818. This season, she has also secured victories in the Miss Versatility and the $233,000 Armbro Flight at Woodbine Mohawk Park. She paid $2.10 to win.
In the $16,667 Open 1 Handicap Pace, Iwannabewithyou, driven by Trae Porter, took the lead shortly after Stag Party's :26.4 first quarter and held off a late three-wide challenge from Lyons Stealth to win by a length in 1:51.3. Stag Party finished third.
Iwannabewithyou, a five-year-old Luck Be Withyou-Bo Tox Hanover gelding with 22 career wins, is trained by Kevin Lare for Forrest Bartlett. He paid $6.60 to win.
Live harness racing at Ocean Downs will resume on Tuesday, July 30, with the first post at 7:05 p.m.