Soph pacers featured in Maryland Sire Stakes
June 22, 2007,by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office
FT. WASHINGTON, MD – Four preliminary divisions of the Maryland Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacers are set for Saturday’s card at Rosecroft Raceway, and several of the top performers on the grounds will showcase their talents.
An early, non-betting race for a purse of $3,000 will be held for colts and geldings. The field includes Hard Head (Frank Milby), Tylan High (John Wagner), Ultra Glide (Charlie Robbins), Talbot Redneck (Wayne Long) and Southern Myles (Brandon Givens).
The first wagering race, a division for fillies also worth $3,000, is headed by High Speed Racer at 2/1 morning line odds. The daughter of Nuclear High is eying her second consecutive Sire Stakes win over the Rosecroft oval with reinsman John Wagner in the bike. Owned by Tom Cooke, High Speed Racer made two moves her last start to win by a head in 1:56.2, taking a new lifetime mark. Roger Hans trains the filly, who has shown consistent success in each of her races.
Close behind at 5/2 odds is Tidewater Gee Gee. Set to be driven by Art Stafford Jr., the Ataturk filly was second behind High Speed Racer her last start in this class. Co-owned by David Beachler and Thomas Singleton, Tidewater Gee Gee will leave the gate from post five. Trevor Stafford trains the filly.
Firstover Windy (Tim Curtin), Jamiedoyaluvme (Frank Milby), Thevoodoothatyoudo (Brandon Givens) and Masterful K (Vic Kirby) round out the field.
The third race brings another field of colts and geldings to the track for a purse of $3,000. From post position six, General Nelson is marked as the 6/5 choice by far after pacing to a second place finish in 1:53.4 last week against the tough Southern Myles. Trained by Manley Brown, Jr. for owner Frederick Kessell, the Allie’s Western colt has been constant in his seasonal starts, finishing second in both. Regular reinsman John Wagner will be in the bike for this mile.
Also contending are Mismark (Tim Curtin, 6/1), Western Jet (Corey Callahan, 9/2), Western Invader (Betsy Brown, 10/1), Mental Lapse (Vic Kirby, 5/1) and Yokozuna Bo (Matt Stelick, 5/1).
Justasplashofwhite stars in the second division for fillies at 1/5 odds. A perfect 10 for 10 lifetime, the daughter of Shotgun Scott has done no wrong to date – last week, under the guidance of regular driver Vic Kirby, Justasplashofwhite quarter-poled for the lead to win in 1:57.0. Currently, the trainee of Jeff Long has a lifetime mark of 1:53.4 set at Colonial Downs last year. Charlene and Danyell Long, Leslie Reagan and Carlie Long co-own the pacing machine.
On The Money (Gary Cameron II, 20/1), My Aunt Margaret (Roger Plante, Jr., 6/1), Dig Alittle Deeper (Brandon Givens, 10/1), Tell Hillary (Donnie Russell) and Here For The Party (Corey Callahan, 20/1) complete the lineup.
Post time for the early race is 7:00 p.m., while the wagering card begins at 7:20 p.m.
BOCA HANOVER TO TRY FOR 5 IN ROSECROFT OPEN
Boca Hanover will look to extend her streak to five consecutive wins this Saturday at Rosecroft Raceway in the $10,000 Open pace for fillies and mares, but faces tough competition in Delaware invader Riddlemethat.
The 5-year-old daughter of The Panderosa has been at the top of her game as of late, wiring tough fields with consistent efforts. Last time out, the trainee of Don Milby took to the lead to win in 1:55.1 by half of a length over Fire And Art (John Wagner). Driven regularly by Frank Milby for owner Irwin Samelman, Boca Hanover will start from post position eight at 7/2 early odds, much further out that she has been recently. A winner of over $108,000 lifetime, the mare currently has a seasonal mark of 1:54.2 set three starts back.
Riddlemethat returns to Rosecroft off of a big qualifying win in 1:55.4 with a last quarter of 28.2. Trained by Shaun Callahan, the 6-year-old Ball and Chain mare will leave the gate from post position two with Corey Callahan at her lines. Set to open on the board as the 3/1 morning line favorite, Riddlemethat has been a top contender in the Open Handicap for fillies and mares at Dover Downs this past spring. Nick Callahan owns the winner of over $163,000 lifetime.
Lye Creek Betty is another to consider at 4/1 odds for owners John Stubbs and William Shaw. The 5-year-old Mark Jonathan mare, trained by Stubbs, was third to Boca Hanover her last start after pacing first-over through a trying trip. Vic Kirby will be in the bike, and the pair will face the starter in post position four.
Shesa Troublemaker (Tim Curtin, 6/1), Paradusho N (Brandon Givens, 6/1), Adelias Girl (Timmy Offutt, 10/1), Fire And Art (John Wagner, 5/1) and Blissfully High (Brian Burton, 10/1) will head to the gate as well.
The Open pace is scheduled for the tenth race.