by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — Drawing away by nine lengths, Three Of Spades ($7.20, $4.20, $2.10) won the top level Open Pace at Rosecroft Raceway on Tuesday night (November 13) in impressive fashion, stopping the timer in 1:52.2.

Driven by Frank Milby, the 4-year-old Cam’s Card Shark horse sat along the rail in fourth through opening fractions of :27.4 and :55.4. Around the half-mile marker, Milby tipped the horse out and hit another gear, passing the three-quarter pole in 1:23.2 and winning unchallenged in the stretch. “Bib” Roberts trains and co-owns Three Of Spades with William DeLodovico.

As the betting favorite, Sleep Easy ($3.00, $2.10) finished second after a trying trip. Reined by Victor Kirby, the sharp 5-year-old Dream Away horse was forced three-wide around Jacob’s Western (Corey Braden) after the half, and closed with a :29.3 last quarter. Roger Hans trains and co-owns Sleep Easy with Tom Cooke.

Jacob’s Western ($4.20) held on for third after giving way in the stretch, but still put in a valiant effort for driver Braden. Co-owned by Jacob Ramsburg and trainer Colby Hubble, Jacob’s Western got caught three-wide in the first half of the mile.

The trifecta, coming in 1-2-5, paid $77.80.

In the mid-level Open Pace, Samsliptoneldorado ($66.40, $16.20, $5.40) lit up the tote board at 32-1 odds by post time. Trained and driven by Kelly Staten, the 5-year-old Misfit gelding sat tight in fifth along the rail for opening quarters of :27 and :56. After passing the half, Staten took the gelding out second-over, following the even-money choice Mattjestic Art (Wayne Long) as the field passed the three-quarter pole in 1:25.3. In the stretch, Samsliptoneldorado drew away by over four lengths, winning in 1:55.1. Lois Leicht owns the gelding.

Mattjestic Art ($4.80, $3.60) held on for second, closing with a :30.1 last quarter. Alvin Callahan trains the 6-year-old Artiscape gelding for owner Marvin Callahan.

Third in the $417.20 trifecta was By A Hare ($2.40). Driven by Frank Milby, the 3-year-old Precious Bunny gelding cut the early fractions, but faded in the stretch. John Stubbs trains for owner William Shaw.

Milby racked up seven wins on Tuesday night, taking nearly half of the 15-race card. His first win came in race three with Paradusho N ($3.80), a 10-year-old veteran pacing mare by Road Machine. Trained by George Bartlett, Paradusho N paced wire-to-wire in a lower level claimer, winning in 1:58.1. Bartlett co-owns the mare with Alvin Mindel.

In the eighth race, Sonny ($9.80) was impressive, winning by four lengths in 1:55.3. Trained by Stan Hathaway, Jr. for owner George LaGrutta, the 4-year-old No Nukes gelding paced second-over to draw away for the win.

Beginning in the 11th race, Milby dominated the card, winning five in a row. Three Of Spades took the top-level open in the 11th, while pacer No Wishes ($4.40) was the best in the 12th race. The 8-year-old No Nukes gelding, trained by “Bib” Roberts for owners Graham Grace Stables LLC, Adam Ainspan and Mary Roberts, won by a length in 1:56.1.

The 13th race showcased Count Up The Cash ($4.00), a 3-year-old Nuclear High pacing filly that wired the field in 1:59.1. Richard Hans trains for owner Michael Hans.

Mafia Hall ($21.20) was driven expertly in the 14th race, pacing along the rail in the pocket for the mile. Trained by Jerry Nock for owners Dana West and Sharon Baker, the 3-year-old Blissfull Hall gelding won by a length in 1:58.2.

Milby ended his excellent night in the 15th race with Vlad Hanover ($33.20), a 3-year-old Rustler Hanover gelding. Pacing to a first-over win in 1:54.3, the trainee of D C Callahan went off at 15-1 odds. Callahan co-owns the gelding with James Kinnamon.

Harness racing action returns to Rosecroft this Saturday, November 17, at 7:20 p.m.