by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — Three divisions of the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund for freshman and sophomore trotters and pacers were held at Rosecroft Raceway on Tuesday evening, August 7.

Badlands Nitro sizzled in the $28,300 division of the Race Fund for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers. The son of Badlands Hanover, co-owned by John Celii and Teague Inc., took the lead with a quarter-pole move after an opening fraction of :29.1. Driven by Wayne Long, the colt continuously drew away through the mile, pacing through quarters of :58.1 and 1:25.4 to win by over 12 lengths in 1:54.2. The trainee of George Teague, Jr. was sharp with a :28.3 last quarter.

CJ Striker finished second with a first-over move at the three-quarter pole. Driven by Corey Callahan for trainer Quentin McKenney, the Allie’s Western colt made up ground through the middle half of the mile. Charles Johnson owns CJ Striker.

Higher Mark, driven by Jonathan Roberts for trainer Roger Hans, finished third. Tom Cooke owns the son of Nuclear High.

In the $14,400 division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings, Man On Fire was victorious by five lengths in 1:56.2. The gelded son of SJ’s Caviar, racing for co-owners James Harris, Jeff Long and J. Paul Long, took the lead after being parked to the quarter in :29.1. The brave trotter commanded the front with Vic Kirby in the sulky, leading the field through remaining fractions of :58 and 1:27.1 to win with a :29.1 last quarter. Jeff Long trains the ever-improving gelding.

With a tough, three-wide journey, GB’s Little Man closed well for second with John Wagner in the bike. Trained by Gary Finnigan, the Donerail colt raced gamely through the mile. The Little Lady Stable owns the colt.

Sweet Daddy Siki, a Dream Vacation gelding, finished third under the guidance of driver Donnie Russell. Colleen Chambers trains and co-owns the trotter with Paul Chambers.

In the other $14,400 division for sophomore trotting colts and geldings, SJ’s Leo ($7.40, $3.60, $4.60) made two bold moves for his second win of the year. The son of SJ’s Caviar, owned by Karen Offutt and trainer Joe Offutt, was parked to the quarter in :30 and dropped in fourth along the rail. Driver Joe Offutt pulled the colt out three-wide after the half in 1:00.2 to grab the lead by the three-quarter pole in 1:30.2. SJ’s Leo won in 2:00.3, a new lifetime best.

Kursk ($3.40, $5.20) trotted up the rail for second, avoiding breaker Bahama Yankee (David Wade) who was on the front end. Driven by Frank Milby for trainer Ken Shand, the Go Get Lost gelding finished 2-3/4 lengths off of the winner. Shirley Shand owns the winner of over $60,000 lifetime.

With Vic Kirby in the bike, Shenandoah Shag ($17.80) finished third. Betsy Brown trains the Go Get Lost gelding for owners Terry Kibler and Marvin Sigler.

The trifecta, coming in 4-3-1, paid $320.80.

Juanna Play Slots, No Wishes win respective Open divisions

Both the Open Trot and Pace were contested on Tuesday night at Rosecroft, and the top horses won with pocket trips.

Juanna Play Slots ($6.80, $2.40, $2.10) was sharp in the $9,000 Open Trot. The 5-year-old daughter of Go Get Lost, owned by Gregg Morris and trainer Thomas Morris, Jr., grabbed the lead in an opening quarter of :29.1. Driver Roger Plante, Jr. allowed betting choice Jim’s Message (Vic Kirby) to retake the lead by the half in :59.2, and Juanna Play Slots sat second along the rail to score a perfect trip. Passing the three-quarter pole in 1:29.3, the mare closed well up the lane to win in 1:58.4.

Jim’s Message ($2.40, $2.10) held on for second, crossing under the wire a half-length behind Juanna Play Slots. Jeff Long trains and owns the 6-year-old Carry The Message gelding.

Third in the $42.80 trifecta were Chippewa Warrior ($2.20) and driver John Wagner. The trainee of Roger Hans made up ground in the stretch to finish 2-1/4 lengths behind the winner. Tom Cooke owns the 7-year-old Veeba Rova gelding.

In the $8,000 Open Pace, No Wishes ($23.60, $9.60, $4.20) proved to be an overlay, winning at 10-1 odds for trainer “Bib” Roberts. The 8-year-old No Nukes gelding, a Rosecroft Open veteran, sat in third along the rail through fractions of :27.1, :55.3 and 1:23.3. Driver Frank Milby tipped the gelding out at the top of the stretch to win by a nose in 1:52.1, setting a new seasonal mark.

At 2-1 odds, Racsan John ($4.00, $3.20) closed alertly for second with Vic Kirby at his lines. The 7-year-old Wynfield Mark gelding is trained and co-owned by Daniel Warrington. Donald Hawk also owns the pacer.

Jacob’s Western ($4.00) closed out the notable $914.60 trifecta with John Wagner in the sulky. The 6-year-old Western Hanover gelding, trained by Colby Hubble, had the early lead but faded in the stretch to finish 2-1/4 lengths behind the leader. Hubble co-owns the winner of nearly $200,000 lifetime with Jacob Ramsburg.

Live racing will again be held at Rosecroft this coming Saturday at 7:20 p.m.