Fort Washington, MD — Lou’s Starr braved punishing early fractions en route to a dominating 1:49 performance in Monday’s (Sept. 21) $13,000 Open Handicap Pace at Rosecroft Raceway and pacing into the Capital Region harness racing venue’s record books.
With Corey Braden at the helm for trainer Scott Warnick, Lou’s Starr rated in the two-path as Icaco Hanover (driven by Russell Foster) worked clear of Babes All In (Shane Griffith) through a :26.4 first quarter. Lou’s Starr got his cue to advance with a lap to go, and the 4-year-old Sweet Lou-Amantha Starr entire scorched a :53.1 half after pushing clear to lead before the clubhouse turn.
Once on top, Lou’s Starr faced nary a challenge, drawing clear steadily to defeat Icaco Hanover by 5-1/4 lengths and take two-fifths of a second off the previous track record for 4-year-old pacing horses, set in 1996 by Hall of Fame racehorse and three-time Dan Patch Award winner Jenna’s Beach Boy.
Don’tmesswithles (Roger Plante Jr.) rallied from last to finish third, a farther 1-3/4 lengths in arrears.
Daniel Chansky owns 23-time winner Lou’s Starr, who paid $2.60 to win as the overwhelming 1-5 favorite.
STARSHIP REACHES NEW HEIGHTS: Earlier on the program, Starship ($3.20) reached a pair of career milestones when he circled three-wide into the far turn and lifted to just collar Precision Bluechip for a 1:53.3 score in a $7,750 conditioned pace. The now 50-time winner, whom Jonathan Roberts drove for owner/trainer Bib Roberts, went over $500,000 in career earnings with the victory.
MARYLAND SIRE STAKES UNDERWAY: A quintet of $10,000 first-round Maryland Sire Stakes preliminary events for 3-year-olds served as supporting races.
Drivers Russell Foster and Johnathan Ahle both scored stakes doubles. Foster won with pacing filly More Than Better (1:56.1, $2.10) for trainer Herman Hagerman and pacing gelding Better Gon (1:55.4, $2.20) for trainer Adrian Wisher Jr., while Ahle won with trotting gelding Booger Bear (1:59.3, non-wagering) for trainer Richard Hans and trotting filly That’sloveto (1:57.2, non-wagering) for trainer Dominik Miga.
Trotting filly Progressivekathy (1:58.3, non-wagering) was the other Sire Stakes winner, with William R. Carter at the controls for trainer Ron Millman.
The top point-earners in each division through two preliminary legs will meet for their respective $100,000 series finals as part of the Maryland Showcase of Champions program on Sunday, Oct. 11.
Racing returns to Rosecroft on Thursday (Sept. 24) with the first round of the fall Maryland Sire Stakes series for 2-year-olds taking center stage. A pair of non-wagering events will take place beginning at 6 p.m. (EDT) followed by a 14-race pari-mutuel card beginning at 7:15 p.m. The carryover for the 50-cent Jackpot Hi-5, offered in the last race, now stands at $3,418.08.
For more information, including free past performances, the Players’ Guide tip sheet, and live and archived video, visit www.rosecroftraceway.com.