Berlin, MD — Maryland Sire Stakes preliminaries for 3-year-olds continued on Thursday (Aug. 6) at Ocean Downs.

The first division for colt and gelding trotters went to post as race five. With a history of making breaks at the start, reinsman Victor Kirby eased Goorilla (Googoo Gaagaa) away from the gate, getting away fourth and last in the scratch shortened field. Kirby eased Goorilla out on the backside, taking aim at the leader Justrestingmyeyes (Up Front Ben), creating a head-to-head battle in the last turn with Goorilla getting a 1-1/4 length lead at the wire in the 2:00.4 mile. The winner was a recent purchase for trainer and co-owner Edwin Gannon Jr. and Frank Canzone. Richard Hans was the breeder.

Race six was the first split for the pacing fillies. Hillbilly Kisses (Rusty’s For Real) flew out of the gate to take control with Fire Me Up (Rusty’s All In) getting the perfect pocket trip. At the head of the stretch Fire Me Up ducked to the passing lane, battling to the wire with Hillbilly Kisses hanging on by a neck in 1:58.2. Frank Milby was between the wheels for owner/breeder Hillbilly Haven Farms and trainer Brian Callahan.

In the second division for trotting colts and geldings, Yall Beneath Me (Googoo Gaagaa) came out of the pocket past the half, leaving the field in his dust, in the 15-1/2 length victory. The early leader Give Em More (Lockkeeper) took the place spot. Russell Forster had the reins for owner/trainer/breeder Richard Hans. The time for the mile was 1:58.3.

The final stake of the night was the second division for filly pacers in race nine. It was a match between the division winners from last week, with I’d Be Rich (Rusty’s For Real) taking the lead out of the gate but Breeze Away B (Nuclear Breeze) grabbed the front at the three-eighths pole. At the wire Breeze Away B held onto a one length lead over I’d Be Rich, stopping the timer in 1:56.3 on the sloppy track. William Fletcher is the owner/trainer/breeder and Allan Davis was the driver.