Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club

LAUREL, Md. – William Harris’ Sweet Goodbye put in a workmanlike performance as she trounced five other fillies and mares in today’s feature at Laurel Park, the $70,000 Conniver Stakes.

Kept to task racing to the finish to win by 2-1/4 lengths over late closing long shot Call of a Lion, Sweet Goodbye completed the seven-furlong distance over the sloppy going in 1:23.85. The daughter of Louis Quatorze paid $2.40 as the 1-5 betting favorite.

“She is awesome,” said winning jockey J.D. Acosta, who has been aboard the 5-year-old mare in all 14 career starts. “She has learned to run from behind which has made her a much more complete runner.”

The Chris Grove trainee has won ten races, including seven stakes, for $436,072. This was her third added money score in a row, as she completed a Laurel Park stakes trifecta with victories in the What A Summer (Jan. 9) and the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (Feb. 13).

“I wasn’t expecting her best effort today,” Grove said. “But we got exactly what we wanted leading into her next race.”

The conditioner indicated Sweet Goodbye’s next start would be in the $250,000 Sugar Maple Stakes at Charles Town on April 17.

Grove, best known for training millionaire mare Silmaril, winner of 12 stakes races at five different distances, won both Grade 2 handicaps at Laurel last month, also taking the General George with promising sprinter Greenspring.

“I am really happy,” added Grove. “With each accomplishment a new target unfolds and with each there is more pressure. I am looking at these two (Sweet Goodbye & Greenspring) and attempting to reach the millionaire mark. In Maryland, I think only Dickie Small, who trained Concern and Broad Brush, can say that. With each accomplishment you come up with bigger and better goals. That is what drives me.”