SEBOOMOOK MAO WINS 3RD OF OCEAN SERIES SUNDAY

Three year-old filly Seboomook Mao has had a very successful past three weeks. The Badlands Hanover daughter from Stonebridge Bliss by Camluck started her streak of four wins in five starts with consecutive victories in the opening two legs of the “Budweiser Pace” late closer stakes series at Ocean Downs July 13 and 20.

“Coming up with those two wins did a lot for her,” said driver Wayne Long who now has 16 wins this summer. “She then went to the fair (July 24 Governor’s Day at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington) and had a big win for $20,000 (1:56.3)”. The Garnet O’Marrow-trained filly came right back to the ocean three days later and finished second in third-leg action July 27. She was rested though Sunday, August 3rd, winning the series final worth $9,400. “She’s really come around this summer. Yeah, she’s been sharp,” Long said.

The favorite Wesmokempeacepipe battled Pedo Doc in a torrid first three quarters of 1:25.2. “They were kind of torturing each other. I was hoping that come to the half (55.4), it wouldn’t take the life out of mine too. It worked out good for me,” Long explained as his horse showed patience and finished strong to win in 1:56.3 ($13.60). Wesmokempeacepipe (two series wins) finished second and Valid Expectation came in third.

The summer meet’s leading driver, Eric Ledford recorded a four-win night Saturday and a driving-double Sunday evening and has forty-seven wins through the 28th night of action in the 40-day meet, which concludes August 24th.

Mark Gray Sunday continued to excel at the ocean this summer, posting a driving-double. Gray has six driving wins in the past three racing nights and is second in the drivers-standings with 25 wins. Gray drives and trains four tear-old Hard Head, which won his fourth of the meet Sunday (1:57.3, $3.00). Driver William Carter also logged a driving-double Sunday, including a dead-heat win with five year-old Electric Ace.

Winning his first as a driver in two years, George Banks was the pilot for five year-old gelding Toy Power (1:59.2, $24.00). “He’s a little tiny horse, but he has a lot of heart and he’ll give you 100%,” Banks commented. This was a special win for the 63 year-old father of trainer/owner Keith Banks who was injured July 17th. “I told him I’ll train him for you if you let me drive him,” Banks said. “I told him if I win, I’d like to propose to Cathy (Cathy Sebring) in the winner’s circle. The horse was a long shot, but is training good and we’re in a class where we’re competitive. We’ll give it a shot.” Toy Power produced as George Banks got his wish and asked Sebring to marry him in the winner’s circle. She accepted as Banks and Toy Power watched. “I’m extremely thrilled, unbelievable,” Banks said happily. Sebring left her restaurant job and has been helping Banks with the horses the last four years. “Fantastic,” Banks added.

The 60th Anniversary live meet continues its Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday schedule with a 7:35 pm first post through the remainder of the Ocean Oval meet. Late closer series still to be completed include the “Hal Belote Memorial” pace Wednesdays, August 6, 13 & 20 and the “Alan Myer Memorial” trot series Thursdays, August 7, 14 & 21.

For further information, call Ocean Downs (410) 641-0600 or visit www.oceandowns.com.

Jim Whittemore, Publicity Director