by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — The talented Nuclear Breeze, a winner of over $342,000 lifetime, will open on the board as the 9-5 morning line choice in the Open I Pace for $9,000 at Rosecroft Raceway on Monday, July 2.

After qualifying in a blistering 1:52.4 on June 20 at Rosecroft, winning the mile by over 15 lengths, the 5-year-old Nuclear High horse will make his first start back after a four-month layoff. Trained by Roger Hans for owner Tom Cooke, Nuclear Breeze will start from post position four in the short, but competitive field of six. Jim Morand will be aboard for the drive.

Nuclear Breeze’s closest competition, at 7-2 morning line odds, will be Crazy For Ever from post position two. The 6-year-old Life Sign gelding got caught up in a grueling trip last start to finish seventh, however, two lines back at Rosecroft he was a winner in 1:51.4. Co-owned by Alvin Mindel and trainer George Bartlett, the winner of nearly $300,000 lifetime will have Jonathan Roberts at his lines for the mile.

Rounding out the top three is He’s Personal at 4-1 morning line odds. Winning against similar stock last start in 1:51.3 over the Rosecroft oval, the 4-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding drew post position three. Trained by Wayne Whitson, Jr. for owners Lester Walls and Jack Upchurch, He’s Personal has a line of 5-0-5 across the board from 14 seasonal starts.

The Fraternity Pan (Walter Callahan, 6-1), Print It (Frank Milby, 9-2) and Dixie Pride (Joe Offutt, 6-1) round out the field.

The Open I Trot is also scheduled to be a part of the exciting card on Monday, and a field of eight horses will vie for a purse of $10,000.

Mighty Moses is the early 3-1 favorite for owners Ken and Betsy Wood, William Dittmar and Stephen Iaquinta, and will leave the gate from post position seven. Trained by Eric Ell, the 7-year-old Garland Lobell gelding won a recent qualifying mile at Rosecroft in 1:58.2. A winner of over $421,000 lifetime, Mighty Moses will have Jim Morand in the bike.

Striking Mystery is another to consider at 7-2 odds after qualifying at Chester Downs in 1:59. Owned by the LA Express Stable LLC, the 6-year-old Striking Sahbra gelding shows strong speed at The Meadowlands and Freehold Raceway earlier this year. Brian Roland trains and Wayne Long will drive.

Completing the field are Mr Beau Windswept (Corey Callahan, 8-1), Winbak Flame (John Wagner, 10-1), Kosmopoliton (Vic Kirby, 9-2), Safari Heat (Roger Plante, Jr., 4-1), Goodbye Daddy (Frank Milby, 10-1) and TV Show Kosmos (Chris Offutt, 8-1).

Three preliminary divisions of the Maryland Sires Stakes for 2-year-old pacers are scheduled as early, non-wagering events at Rosecroft on Monday. Each of the races offers a purse of $3,000.

The first event, for colts and geldings, will bring Quick Thinker (Jim Morand), Boss Outlaw (Corey Callahan), Masters Remarks (Kimothy Vincent), GB’s Li’l Misfit (John Wagner) and Higher Mark (Jonathan Roberts) to the gate.

In the second $3,000 race for colts and geldings, contenders include Misquoted (Betsy Brown), CJ Striker (Frank Milby), Best Cross (John Wagner), Take The Field (Corey Braden) and Johnny Absolut (Vic Kirby).

The fillies and mares will come together in a full field of nine for $3,000. Set to go from the inside out are Taylorswayornoway (Cliff Green), Warden Woodie (John Wagner), Winsmith Brianna (Roger Plante), Scotts Girl (Corey Callahan), Shotgun Sassy (Jonathan Roberts), Southern Blue (Jim Morand), Simply Naked (Corey Braden), Indeman (Vic Kirby) and Miss Ella C (Frank Milby).

Post time for the early races is 4:50 p.m. on Monday, and wagering action begins at 5:35 p.m. A fireworks display will be held once the evening racing commences in honor of July 4th.