by Nick Pappas, for Ocean Downs

Berlin, MD — Ocean Downs had 11 races on Wednesday night’s (August 10) card with purses totaling nearly $100,000, including the Chesapeake Bay Series and the Hal Belote Memorial Final.

Jim Morand drove GooGoo GaaGaa to the wire in 1:57.3, setting a new track record for 2-year-old trotting colts in the $14,675 Maryland Standardbred Race Fund. GooGoo GaaGaa (Cam’s Rocket-Kora’s Trotter) is unbeaten in four lifetime starts and has earnings of $24,762. he is trained and owned by Richard Hans.

In the $14,100 Hal Belote final, John Wagner drove Ranger Gus to the victory in 2:00.1. Ranger Gus (Duke’s Ranger–Ilpayutuesday) is a 4-year-old trotting gelding trained by D W Camac and owned by Susan Camac.

In the first division of The Chesapeake Bay Series eliminations (the Nick Hans Memorial), George Dennis drove Ash Larue and broke a track record for older pacers at 1:53.4. The previous record was held by Anastasia Hanover and Keystone Killarney (1:54.3). Ash Larue (Artiscape-Expensive Ashley) is a 6-year-old mare trained by Jeffery Clark and owned by Vernon Cannon. Ash Larue, Preview The Dream, I Turtle, and Fd White Diamonds will return for the Chesapeake Bay final.

The second division went to Funtime Filly and Allan Davis in a time of 1:54.3. Also advancing to the final were Nice N Nice, Mom’s Toy, and Itz Cherry Ripe N.

In the first division of the Chesapeake Bay Series eliminations (the Ed Gannon Memorial Pacing Series), Corey Callahan drove Racing Naked to a 1:55.1 victory. Racing Naked, J A’s Outlaw, and Talbot Redneck will return to the Chesapeake Bay final.

Corey Callahan drove Southern Allie to capture the fastest mile of the year at 1:52.4 in the Ed Gannon Memorial second division. Southern Allie (Allie’s Western–Pershing Angela) is trained by Ron Burke and owned by Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Southern Allie, Gone Nuclear, and Everlasting Pride will move forward into the Chesapeake Bay final.

Ross Wolfenden drove Bad Rusty at 1:53 in Ed Gannon Memorial third division. Bad Rusty (Badlands Hanover-Armbro Ocasey) is trained by Joseph Hundertpfund, Jr and owned by Rodney Long. Bad Rusty, Wynfield Scamp, and Royal Camelot will move to the Chesapeake Bay final.

The Chesapeake Bay finals will be held on August 17 with purses adding up to over $200,000.

Racing resumes on Thursday (August 11) with post time at 7 p.m.