by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — Betting favorite Drivin’ Miss Rudee ($3.20, $2.10, $2.10) paced wire-to-wire for the second consecutive week in the $6,000 Winners Over event for fillies and mares at Rosecroft Raceway on Saturday, Feb. 24.

The 5-year-old daughter of Walton Hanover, co-owned by William Camp, Jr. and John Sumner, left the gate from post position four and paced through moderate fractions of :29.1, :59 and 1:28.2. Driver Donnie Russell asked for more in the stretch and received it as the mare closed with a :29.2 final quarter to win by a half-length in 1:57.4.

This victory marks Drivin’ Miss Rudee’s second of the season from four starts.

After scoring a perfect pocket trip with Frank Milby in the sulky, G H Shady Lady ($2.40, $2.40) held on for second. The 5-year-old Shady Character mare, owned and trained by Basil Sapienza, secured a spot in second after leaving the gate from the rail.

Adelias Girl ($4.60) and driver Timmy Offutt were third in the $17.00 trifecta. Co-owned by Frank Russell and the James Russell Est., the 5-year-old Real Artist mare made up ground late in the race to finish 2-3/4 lengths off of the winner. Joe Offutt trains Adelias Girl.

With two wins on Saturday’s card, driver Donnie Russell is now at 1,498 lifetime wins, only two away from a milestone of 1,500.

On Monday (Feb. 26), 14 races will be presented beginning at 5:35 p.m. The $8,200 Open Pace will return in race six, with Dixie Pride favored at 2-1 morning line odds.

The 6-year-old Real Artist horse, co-owned by George Aide and trainer-driver Joe Offutt, drew post six after a strong wire-to-wire win in this class last week. Dixie Pride currently sports a line of 3-1-1 across the board from seven seasonal starts.

From post five, Wynnfield Scamp is another to consider. Owned and trained by Pam Polk, the 5-year-old Run The Table gelding was second to Dixie Pride last week, but paced home in a swift :27.2 final fraction. Frank Milby will drive the horse.

Stepping up in class after two consecutive wins is Corey Braden and William Carter’s Okeechobee Joe in post four. The 5-year-old Mark Jonathan horse, set at 5-1 morning line odds, currently has a seasonal mark of 1:54.2. Braden will drive for trainer Colby Hubble.

Blissfull Silence, at 7-2 early odds, drew the rail for owner-trainer Trevor Stafford and driver Donnie Russell, while Pleasing Artist will have John Wagner in the sulky at 8-1 morning line odds.