by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — Kellytuck Sophie ($2.80, $2.20, $2.10) took a new track record for older pacing mares at Rosecroft Raceway on Monday night, April 23, winning in impressive fashion with a 1:51.2 mile.

Topping the prior 2003 record of 1:51.4 set by Prymetyme Scootie, the 5-year-old Cam’s Magic Trick mare was driven to her second seasonal victory by regular reinsman Jonathan Roberts.

After leaving the gate from post three and tucking in along the rail, Roberts pulled Kellytuck Sophie first-over to draw away by several lengths. The mare was virtually untouchable through early fractions of :26.2, :55.3 and 1:23.3.

“Bib” Roberts trains the winner of over $150,000 lifetime for himself and co-owners Graham Grace Stable LLC and M&W Stable LLC.

After pacing four-wide for a late lead in the stretch in the $10,000 Open event on Monday, Sleep Easy ($9.00, $4.20, $2.40) posted his fourth seasonal win to equal his lifetime mark with a gutsy mile in 1:51.2.

Driven by Jonathan Roberts for trainer Roger Hans, the 5-year-old Dream Away horse left the gate from post two and was shuffled back during a speed duel between Print It (Frank Milby) and The Fraternity Pan (Walter Callahan). After the battle subsided and Print It took the lead, Sleep Easy held steady through quarters of :26.3, :54.4 and 1:23.3 along the rail.

Roberts took the horse out at the top of the stretch and cleared traffic with a wide bid for the lead. Sleep Easy, a winner of over $480,000 lifetime, drew away for the win for co-owners Hans and Tom Cooke.

Finishing second after following Sleep Easy on the outside was the defending champ JJ’s Artiscape ($4.80, $3.40). A winner of the last three Open pace events at Rosecroft, the 6-year-old Artiscape gelding was driven confidently by Donnie Russell. “Doc” Davison, Jr. trains JJ’s Artiscape for owners Mayanne Karmin and Sydell Stone.

Third in the notable $516.20 trifecta was veteran campaigner Dixie Pride ($4.40). Closing the gap late in the stretch with trainer Joe Offutt at his lines, the 6-year-old Real Artist horse has been on the board in 10 of 14 starts this season. Offutt co-owns Dixie Pride with George Aide.

Dover Downs regular Safari Heat ($6.60, $4.60, $2.40) trotted to an unchallenged victory in the $10,000 Open Trot with Corey Braden at his lines.

The 5-year-old Striking Sahbra gelding, co-owned by Gregg Morris and trainer Thomas Morris, Jr., left alertly off of the gate from post six to grab the lead in a :28.2 opening quarter. Braden rated the mile well, taking the gelding through middle fractions of :58.2 and 1:27.1 to draw away for a win in 1:56.4.

Duya Kid ($4.20, $3.00) finished second with Victor Kirby at her lines, showing much improvement over her previous two starts at Rosecroft where she broke stride. The 7-year-old Yankee Kid mare, trained by Basil Sapienza for owners Gladys and James Downs, worked out a pocket trip through the mile.

Goodbye Daddy ($2.20) finished third for the Milby connections as the 9-5 betting choice. The 5-year-old gelded son of Master Lavec sat third along the rail through the mile and made up minor lengths in the stretch. The trifecta, coming in 6-4-3, paid $29.20.

Live racing returns to Rosecroft on Saturday, April 28, at 7:20 p.m.