Fort Washington, MD — Closing steadily into a blistering pace, 4-5 favorite Ammo rolled off cover and overpowered Don’tmesswithles in the lane for a 1-3/4-length score in Monday’s (Nov. 11) $10,500 Open Handicap Pace at Rosecroft Raceway.
Bet On Buter (William Carter) sprinted to a clear lead before yielding for a three-hole ride behind 8-5 second choice Don’tmesswithles (Roger Plante Jr.) and Lyons Stealth (Luke Hanners) after a :25.3 first quarter. Meanwhile, Ammo and driver Jonathan Roberts sat well off the pace until the :54.1 half-mile split, at which point they slid second-over to stalk live cover behind Full Send (Russell Foster) up the backstretch.
Full Send ground into second behind Don’tmesswithles nearing three-quarters in 1:22.1, towing Ammo into contention. Roberts swung the 4-year-old Sweet Lou-Beach Gal entire three-wide off cover on the far turn, and the pair collared Don’tmesswithles in the final 70 yards of a measured 1:51.2 win. Danger Zone (Eric Davis) rallied belatedly to just nab Full Send for third.
Trainer Michael Hall co-owns Ammo, a winner of 12 races and $560,449 in purses from 47 starts, with Manklin Creek. He paid $3.80 to win.
Roberts and Hugh O’Neil led all drivers with three wins apiece on the 13-race card; Hall and Greg Trotto both notched training doubles.
Live racing returns to Rosecroft on Wednesday (Nov. 13); the 12-race program features a $10,500 Open Handicap Trot and a Jackpot Hi-5 carryover of $14,265.45 (race 10). First post is 7:40 p.m. (EST).