by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — As the overwhelming betting favorite, Art’s Pretty Lady ($3.60, $4.00, $2.40) quarter-poled for the lead and never looked back, winning the $6,000 Open Pace for fillies and mares at Rosecroft Raceway on Friday (March 7) by over three lengths in 1:57.2.

Driven by Frank Milby, the 5-year-old Arturo mare sat in third through an opening quarter of :29.1 before claiming the lead to take the field through remaining fractions of :58.4 and 1:29.1. Trained by Connie Kamit for owners Susan Chytla and Nicholas Kamit, the mare fired home with a :28.1 last quarter to earn her fourth consecutive victory and continue her undefeated 2008 season.

Wayne Long drove High Speed Racer ($4.00, $5.40) to a strong second-place finish, as the 4-year-old Nuclear High mare sat in the pocket through much of the mile. The trainee of Roger Hans crossed under the wire 3-1/2 lengths behind the winner. Tom Cooke owns the ever-improving pacer.

Wishwell Buttercup ($3.80), overlooked at 18-1 odds by post time, finished third under the guidance of driver Timmy Offutt. The 6-year-old daughter of Real Artist, trained by Joe Offutt for owners Timmy and Maria Lewis, paced first-over after the half to close out the $86.40 triple.

Milby bags five wins on Friday

One of Rosecroft’s leading drivers, Frank Milby, scored five wins on the 11-race card on Friday to outshine the competition, including the Open Pace with Art’s Pretty Lady.

Milby took the opening double. The first race brought the 7-year-old Captain Per mare Missyoulin to the winner’s circle in 1:58.2. Despite being parked out through the middle half of the race, the trainee of George Bartlett held strong to win by 1-1/4 lengths. Bartlett co-owns the mare with Alvin Mindel.

Hot Fusion was a winner in the second race. The 5-year-old Art’s Conquest mare paced her way to a 2-1/4 length victory in 1:55.2. James Fortna trains the mare for owner Megan Fortna.

Milby reined Wynfield Girl to the front in the fourth race as the 2-1 betting favorite. Owned and trained by Jerry Nock, the 7-year-old Wynfield Mark mare paced second-over to win by over three lengths in 1:59.3.

In the seventh race, Izzie Hero, a 3-year-old Western Hero filly, paced wire-to-wire in 1:59.1. Trained by Gerald Kelly for owner Roger Hammer, the filly scored by over two lengths at even-money odds.

SA Monterosa eyes repeat in Winners Over Pace

Post time for Saturday night’s (March 8) big 13-race card is 6:30 p.m. and the $4,200 Winners Over Pace is the featured event.

SA Monterosa paced wire-to-wire last time in this class, winning in 1:54.4 with Corey Braden in the sulky. The 7-year-old gelded son of The Panderosa, trained by Thomas Swann for owner Lois Swann, will start from post position three as the 5-2 morning line favorite. This week, Billy Mann will be at the lines for the drive.

Yokozuna Bo has been sharp as well, and could be considered at 3-1 early odds. Frank Milby will be aboard for the drive, as the 4-year-old Allie’s Western gelding is set to start from post position five. Last week, the trainee of Betsy Brown finished second to SA Monterosa in a close mile. Ralph Hayward owns the pacer.

The 10th race field also includes Gold Comet (Ken Weckstein, 4-1), Stirseventimes (Wayne Long, 6-1), Typhoon Luther (Kelly Staten, 5-1) and Evelyn’s Fantasy (Donnie Russell, 7-1).