Berlin, MD — Ocean Downs hosted the final freshman Maryland Sire Stakes preliminaries on Wednesday (Aug. 31).

The first division for the filly trotters opened the evening with Call Me Goo (Googoo Gaagaa) going gate-to-wire, stopping the clock in 2:02.2, 1-1/2 lengths in front of Goolishness (Googoo Gaagaa). Jonathan Roberts received the driving assignment from trainer Jason Skinner for owner Graham Grace Stables. William Bib Roberts is the breeder.

Excuse My Beauty (Googoo Gaagaa) sat third until the three-eighths pole, where driver Trae Porter pulled her, taking charge of the field by the half, before winning by two lengths over Roadgracemissellie (Lockkeeper) in the second split for the filly trotters. Richard Hans is the owner-trainer-breeder of Excuse My Beauty. Time for the mile was 2:02.4.

The lone division for the pacing colts and geldings went to post as race five. Reinsman Russell Foster sat quietly in third until the backstretch where he sent Smooth Rocket (Cam’s Rocket) out to overtake the leaders in the last turn on the half-mile oval, stretching out to a three length win in 1:57.1 over a late closing Nicki’s All In (Rusty’s All In). Megan Foster trains for Russell Foster Racing. Brian Emerson is the breeder.

Sept. 7, the final night of the summer season at Ocean Downs, will showcase $300,000 in Maryland Sire Stake finals.