by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — At long odds, Chef Tommy D ($523.60, $37.40, $10.00) trotted to a new lifetime mark of 2:01.1 in a $3,000 preliminary division of the Maryland Sires Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Rosecroft Raceway on Monday, June 11.

The Go Get Lost colt dropped back off of the gate from post position seven with trainer Kelly Staten at his lines. Chef Tommy D sat along the rail through opening fractions of :29.2 and :59.2, set by a dueling Magic Mountain (Corey Braden) and Jimmy And Josh (Chris Offutt).

The even-money choice, Kursk, broke stride at the start of the race but quickly got underway from last to challenge the leader near the three-quarter pole in 1:30.1. The Go Get Lost gelding gained the lead in the stretch but faltered after trotting through a challenging mile with Frank Milby in the bike.

Chef Tommy D took advantage of the situation as Staten tipped the colt out three-wide at the top of the stretch. Owned by Howard Hammond, Chef Tommy D was victorious by more than two lengths, lighting up the tote board with one of the highest win prices ever recorded at Rosecroft.

Kursk ($2.80, $2.40) was notable for second, showing enough heart to hold on at the wire. Trained by Ken Shand for owner Shirley Shand, the Go Get Lost gelding was a winner last week against a tough field in 2:02.3.

Third under the wire was Go Get Jacqui ($2.20) at 2-1 odds. Part of an owner entry, the Go Get Lost gelding made up ground along the rail in the stretch with trainer Syl King, Jr. at the lines. King co-owns with Joseph Benedetti, Jr. and Rosalind Silletto.

The trifecta returned a hefty $963.60.

In the early, non-wagering Sires Stakes event for sophomore trotting fillies, worth $3,000, Dilly Dally Delia set a new lifetime mark of 1:58. Driven by Vic Kirby, the daughter of Go Get Lost took to the front end immediately off of the gate and led the field through early quarters of :29, :59.1 and 1:29.1. Dilly Dally Delia won by four lengths with a closing tick of :28.4. John Wilkerson trains for owner Benjamin Brooks.

Et And Al, driven by Jonathan Roberts, was second, while Teenie Beanie and driver Syl King, Jr. finished third.

The $9,000 Open Pace brought He’s Personal and driver Vic Kirby to the winner’s circle as the 8-5 betting choice. The 4-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding came three-wide in the stretch after the leaders dueled through swift fractions of :27.1, :55 and 1:23 to take his fourth victory of the year, winning in a season’s best of 1:52.4. Wayne Whitson, Jr. trains for owners Lester Walls and Jack Upchurch.

The ever-competitive JJ’s Artiscape ($2.80, $2.40), parked to the quarter by Real Art (Walter Callahan), showed his class to finish second up the rail. Trained by “Doc” Davison, Jr., the 6-year-old Artiscape gelding now sports a line of 8-5-2 across the board from 18 starts in one of the best seasons of his life. Mayanne Karmin and Sydell Stone co-own JJ’s Artiscape.

Print It ($3.80), steered by Frank Milby, was third in the $57.00 trifecta.

Brian Callahan trainee Real Art, after being used hard to the quarter pole, held steady to the half but faded in the stretch to cross under the wire sixth.

Post time for Saturday’s (June 16) live racing card is 7:20 p.m.