Fort Washington, MD — After coming up short in his first five starts at the Rosecroft Raceway Fall Meeting, Don’tmesswithles finally put it together on Monday (Oct. 19), taking full advantage of a pocket trip to post a 1:51.4 victory in the featured $11,000 winners-over handicap pace.
With Fern Paquet Jr. aboard for owner/trainer Walter Birney Jr., 3-5 favorite Don’tmesswithles vaulted off the outside wing of the gate to clear Act Fast (driven by Roger Plante Jr.) for the lead from his assigned post 9, only to yield to 3-2 second choice Layton Hanover (Jonathan Roberts) just beyond the :26.1 quarter. The 7-year-old Captaintreacherous-JK Letitgo gelding drafted behind Layton Hanover through middle fractions of :54.1 and 1:22.4 and was boxed midway on the far turn as Bipbopnallie (Lucas Myers) made first-over gains out of midfield.
Turning for home, Layton Hanover felt intensifying pressure from Bipbopnallie, and Paquet dove Don’tmesswithles to the open stretch, where he accelerated to strike the front with 70 yards to go and evade runner-up Bipbopnallie by a half length. Act Fast split foes out of traffic to eclipse Layton Hanover for third.
Don’tmesswithles, now a 23-time winner in his career, paid $3.40 to win in his fourth seasonal tally.
The sub-featured $9,250 top-level conditioned pace saw Spring Blake ($4) battle back in the stretch after being headed by 4-5 favorite J M Mandamin and post a 1:51 victory. Russell Foster drove the 5-year-old Courtly Choice-Spring Break ridgling to his 27th career win for owner/trainer Johnny Crites Jr.
Live harness racing returns to Rosecroft on Thursday (Oct. 22); the 13-race card features the Sulky Queens Driving Series, competing in races 1 and 3, as well as an $8,396.64 carryover in the 50-cent Jackpot Hi-5, offered in the finale. First post is 7:15 p.m. (EDT). For more information, including free past performance pages, the Players’ Guide tip sheet, and lived archived video, visit www.rosecroftraceway.com.