Dover: Matron 3YO Trots won by Call Me Goo, Point Of Perfect

Call Me Goo had no trouble overcoming the outside post seven in dominating six rivals in the $141,450 Matron Stakes for 3-year-old filly trotters at Bally's Dover on Thursday evening. The daughter of Googoo Gaagaa was a winner for the 12th time in 2023 in a time of 1:53 2/5.

Driver Dexter Dunn left with patience from the outside with Call Me Goo, allowing Blonde Bombshell and Helpoftheseason to gain control first through the 28 second opening quarter before rolling to the front three-eighths of a mile in. After a 57 1/5 first half-mile, Quick Stop and Tim Tetrick went on a long uncovered bid, but Dunn opened ground with Call Me Goo through the 28 1/5 third quarter, and when pocket-sitting Helpoftheseason took some bad steps on the final turn, Quick Stop was able to get in behind the winner.

With a closing quarter in 28 seconds flat, the Jason Skinner-trained filly won impressively, with Quick Stop settling for second and Helpoftheseason surviving a judges' inquiry and standing in third.

Owned by Graham Grace Stables LLC., Call Me Goo returned $4.20 to win as the public choice.

"She's a lovely filly to drive," said Dunn, who won with Call Me Goo six days earlier in stakes action at Harrah's Hoosier Park.

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Point Of Perfect, with Yannick Gingras in the bike, went wire-to-wire in capturing the $127,400 Matron for sophomore colt and gelding trotters. A son of Walner, Point Of Perfect won for the fourth time this year, trotting the mile in 1:55 flat.

Point Of Perfect left strongly at the start and cruised right to the front but saw Khaosan Road with Ake Svanstedt and Dire Straits with David Miller on the outside and accelerated to find them seats through the 27 1/5 opening panel. With Khaosan Road in the pocket, Gingras was able to slow the half down considerably, hitting that marker in 57 seconds.

Dire Straits and Miller pulled before the half with Calderone and driver Joe Bongiorno squeezing behind him and forcing Air Power three-deep heading into the second turn. As the outer tier struggled, Gingras and Point Of Perfect accelerated with three-quarters sprinted in 1:24 4/5.

By headstretch Khaosan Road had room to the inside and Dire Straits was challenging on the outside, but neither could find a way past the leader, who held on through a 30 1/5 final quarter. Khaosan Road held second, with Dire Straits a game third-place finisher.

Trained by Ron Burke, Point Of Perfect is owned by Burke Racing, Hatfield Stables, J & T Silva Stables and Knox Services. Sent off as a 4-1 offering, Point Of Perfect returned $10.40 to win.

"He's so quick out of the gate," said Gingras of his driving strategy. "He dug in late and held them off."