by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — JJ’s Artiscape ($4.80, $3.40, $2.10) ended Dixie Pride’s win streak with a surge of speed in the stretch to take the $10,000 Open Pace at Rosecroft Raceway on Monday, April 2.

The 6-year-old Artiscape gelding, driven confidently by Corey Callahan, scored a pocket trip behind Dixie Pride (Joe Offutt) through fractions of :28.1, :57.3 and 1:24.4. At the top of the stretch, Callahan tipped JJ’s Artiscape out and the gelding found another gear to win by a length in 1:53.2.

“Doc” Davison, Jr. trains JJ’s Artiscape for owners Mayanne Karmin and Sydell Stone. The gelding now has a line of 4-2-2 across the board from 10 seasonal starts.

After sitting third along the rail through much of the mile, Sleep Easy ($4.40, $2.80) took advantage of the passing lane for second. Driven by Jonathan Roberts for trainer Roger Hans, the 5-year-old Dream Away horse was game in the stretch with plenty of late speed. Hans co-owns Sleep Easy with Tom Cooke.

Dixie Pride ($2.10), the winner of this class over the past two weeks, held on for third after being tested throughout the mile on the front end. The 6-year-old Real Artist horse, co-owned by George Aide and trainer-driver Joe Offutt, has hit the board in nine of his last 11 starts.

The trifecta, coming in 4-2-1, returned $28.60.

TV Show Kosmos on the improve

The classy TV Show Kosmos ($11.60, $3.20, $4.80) caused a minor upset in the $10,000 Open Trot at Rosecroft on Monday, topping the contenders by a nose in 1:59.2.

With trainer Joe Offutt at his lines, TV Show Kosmos held steady through a first-over journey and never backed down after trotting through :28.4, :59.4 and 1:30.1 quarters. The 9-year-old SJ’s Photo horse found his way through traffic with a three-wide trip in the stretch to win his first of the season.

It was tight at the wire with Duya Kid ($3.20, $2.60) charging up the passing lane with Corey Callahan in the sulky for second. The 7-year-old Yankee Kid mare, co-owned by Gladys and James Downs, worked out a pocket trip behind the frontrunner and betting choice Goodbye Daddy (Frank Milby). Basil Sapienza trains the winner of over $100,000 lifetime.

At 12-1 odds by post time, Four Starz Eye Van ($4.80) was notable for third. The 4-year-old son of Yankee Glide tracked TV Show Kosmos through the back half of the mile and came wide in the stretch as well. Driven by Corey Braden for trainer Billy Hobbs, Four Starz Eye Van stepped up in class with this start. Hobbs and Anthony Longo co-own the horse.

The 2-5-6 trifecta paid $526.00.

Live harness racing returns to the Rosecroft oval this coming Saturday, April 7. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.