by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — Jim’s Message will kick off the live racing card this Tuesday (September 18) at Rosecroft Raceway, opening up on the board as the 5-2 choice in the first race, an Open Trot for $10,000.

Owned and trained by Jeff Long of Delaware, the 6-year-old gelded son of Carry The Message will try for three consecutive victories in this upcoming mile. Last week, driver Victor Kirby sat in the pocket with the gelding and tipped out in the stretch to win in 1:56.3 — a new seasonal best. Two starts back, Jim’s Message won with a wire-to-wire trip in 1:57. With last week’s win, Jim’s Message increased his lifetime earnings to over $100,000. Kirby will again be at his lines and the pair will start from the rail position.

At the other end of the spectrum, Slate is the second choice on the board at 4-1 odds from post position eight. The 7-year-old Yankee Glide horse, owned by the Trick Pony Stable of Maryland, was second to Jim’s Message last time out, finishing three-quarters of a length off the winner. The trainee of Manley Brown, Jr. shows impressive gate speed, however, and should be able to overcome the outside post disadvantage. John Wagner will drive the winner of nearly $150,000 lifetime.

At 5-1 morning line odds, Four Starz Eye Van is another to consider. The 4-year-old Yankee Glide horse was third to Jim’s Message in last week’s mile, trotting in 1:57.1. Co-owned by Anthony Longo and trainer Billy Hobbs, Four Starz Eye Van shows good speed and has a seasonal mark of 1:56.3 set at Rosecroft over the summer. Jonathan Roberts will drive from post position two.

In the $8,000 Open Pace, Three Of Spades will return to Rosecroft after trying his luck at Harrah’s Chester where he finished sixth in 1:53. Co-owned by William DeLodovico and trainer “Bib” Roberts, the 4-year-old Cam’s Card Shark horse paced in 1:51.2 last time at Rosecroft against the tough Crazy For Ever. Three Of Spades will start from post position six with Jonathan Roberts in the bike.

The Fraternity Pan is the early second choice on the line at 3-1 odds with Sam Belote in the sulky. The 8-year-old Artsplace horse, a veteran campaigner at this level of racing, has been on the board his last three starts. Back on August 28, the trainee of Ken Schlotzhauer was second to Real Art in 1:50.4. The winner of over $300,000 lifetime races for owner Kelley Rogers.

From the rail, Mountain Air will take a minor step up in class and is set at 5-1 early odds. The 3-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding, owned by Syl King, Jr., Rosalind Silletto, Frank Burgaretta and Joseph Benedetti, Jr., was a strong winner last week, topping a field of Open II pacers by two lengths in 1:53. John Wagner will drive for trainer Manley Brown, Jr.

Post time for Tuesday’s 14-race card is set for 5:35 p.m.