by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — Outstanding in his last start, Southern Myles is the overpowering 1-9 choice in a $3,000 preliminary division of the Maryland Sires Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Rosecroft Raceway on Saturday, June 16.

The Nuclear High colt, a winner of over $100,000 in his 2-year-old season, drew post position two in the field of seven. Trained by Richard Hans, Southern Myles wired the field by over nine lengths, equaling his lifetime best of 1:51.4 on June 7 at Rosecroft in a Maryland Standardbred Race Fund for $15,500. Racing for owner Gerald Kelly, Southern Myles shows a line of 11-3-1 across the board from 18 lifetime starts. Brandon Givens is scheduled to drive the champion on Saturday.

General Nelson, at 8-1 morning line odds, looks to be second best from the rail. Finishing second to Southern Myles in his last start, the Allie’s Western colt closed with a :28.2 final quarter for driver John Wagner. Manley Brown, Jr. trains for owner Frederick Kessell.

Western Jet (Vic Kirby, 15-1), Mismark (Tim Curtin, 15-1), Hard Head (Frank Milby, 20-1), Fames Image (Roger Plante, Jr., 20-1) and Western Invader (Wayne Long, 20-1) will also face the starter.

The third race, a $3,000 preliminary division for 3-year-old pacing fillies, brings a well-matched field to the gate. The top choice, at 5-2 morning line odds, is Thevoodoothatyoudo for owner-trainer Richard Hans. Coming off of a sixth place finish in a Maryland Standardbred Race Fund, the daughter of Nuclear High will have Brandon Givens in the sulky for the first time. The filly has a lifetime mark of 1:56 set three starts back at Rosecroft.

Also competing are Tidewater Gee Gee (Art Stafford, Jr., 3-1), who was a winner in 1:57.1 in her last start, Jamiedoyaluvme (Frank Milby, 7-2), Here For The Party (Tim Curtin, 8-1), Lloydsmapleleaf (Vic Kirby, 10-1), Masterful K (Wayne Long, 10-1) and High Speed Racer (John Wagner, 5-1).

One of the best horses on the grounds, Justasplashofwhite, heads the fifth race field at 4-5 odds. Racing in the second $3,000 division of the Maryland Sires Stakes for pacing fillies, the trainee of Jeff Long is undefeated to date. Co-owned by Charlene and Danyell Long, Leslie Regan and Carlie Long, the Shotgun Scott filly has a mark of 1:53.4 set at Colonial Downs last year and will be racing on lasix for the first time. Regular reinsman Vic Kirby will be in the bike, and the pair recently won a qualifier in 1:55.4 at Rosecroft on June 6.

From the rail out, On The Money (Gary Cameron II, 12-1), Leimatua (Kelly Staten, 20-1), Dig Alittle Deeper (Frank Milby, 8-1), Firstover Windy (Tim Curtin, 10-1), Tell Hillary (Donnie Russell, 10-1), Hot Hip Happening (Wayne Long, 8-1) and My Aunt Margaret (Roger Plante, Jr., 5-1) round out the field.

Several 3-year-old pacers stand out in the seventh race, another $3,000 division for colts and geldings. At 6-5 odds, Talbot Redneck has been sharp lately, winning his last start in 1:54.1. Trained and co-owned by Ken Schlotzhauer, the Misfit gelding has been on the board in his last three starts. Wayne Long will drive from post position two. David Donahue co-owns Talbot Redneck.

From post position six, Yokozuna Bo is another to consider at 9-5 odds. Third against Southern Myles in his last start, the Betsy Brown trainee has been showing improvement lately. With Matt Stelick at the lines, the Allie’s Western colt crossed under the wire in 1:54 last time out. Ralph Hayward owns the colt.

Ultra Glide (John Wagner, 8-1), Windswept Valley (Roger Plante, Jr., 8-1), Tylan High (Frank Milby, 10-1) and Mental Lapse (Vic Kirby, 10-1) will try their luck as well.

The $9,000 Open Pace for fillies and mares is also featured and Boca Hanover will try for four consecutive victories. Last time out, Frank Milby guided the mare through a wire-to-wire trip to win in 1:55.4. The 5-year-old daughter of The Panderosa has a seasonal mark of 1:54.2 set two starts back. Don Milby trains for owner Irwin Samelman.

Post time for Saturday’s 15-race card is 7:20 p.m.