by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD –– Six divisions of the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund highlighted the Saturday card at Rosecroft and talented two and three-year-old trotters and pacers took center stage throughout most of the evening.

The second race brought Ben Stafford, Jr.’s Carousel Frame ($3.80, $2.80, $2.10) to the winner’s circle. The two-year-old daughter of Dragon Again paced second over to gain the lead in the stretch and remained undefeated with a win in 1:56.3. Second under the wire was John Celii’s Classy And Bad ($7.20, $2.60) with driver Jim Morand and Lena’s Light ($2.40) was third with the guidance of reinsman John Wagner.

Mountain Breeze ($3.00, $2.20, $2.10) wired for the win in the third race with a time of 1:59.4 for owner Anne McDonald. Trainer Joe Offutt named his son Chris Offutt to drive the three-year-old S J’s Photo trotting filly. According to Chris, the pair will continue to compete in the Race Funds until Colonial Downs opens in the fall. Hurrigale ($6.00, $3.40), driven by John Wagner, was second after coming first over at the half and Red Oak’s Barb ($6.80) finished third with Ron Millman.

Stakes action continued in the fourth race for two-year-old pacing fillies. Boca Beckons ($12.00, $5.20, $2.40), driven to victory by Ben Stafford, Jr., hit the lead at the half and refused to back down. The Cam’s Card Shark filly stopped the timer in 1:58.1 ahead of Social Impact ($17.60, $2.20), driven by John Wagner, and the 1-2 choice Evening Forecast ($2.10), with Jim Morand, scored third place honors.

SJ’s Cebulla ($5.40, $3.00, $2.10) showed off his skill in race seven for the Sweet And Sassy Stable. The three-year-old trotting son of S J’s Photo caught the lead at the quarter pole and outclassed the field for a win in 1:58.1. Kyle E Koyote ($2.40, $2.10)trailed behind him in second with Jim Morand in the bike and BO W ($2.10) earned a third for Mark Gingrich.

The trainer of SJ’s Cebulla, David Wade, commented on the outstanding performance shown by the colt.

“He’s been challenging, but getting much better,” Wade noted on the breaks SJ’s Cebulla shows in his lines. “I hoped to go to the Hambletonian with him, but he’s been tough. He’s an emotionally upset horse.”

“Training horses is like having a classroom full of students or a string of athletes,” Wade continued. “You have to pamper some and discipline some. I love the challenge.”

The trotting continued in the ninth race with another sharp bunch of three-year-old colts and geldings. The 1-5 choice, Yankee Slugfest ($2.60, $2.20, $2.20) left the gate from post three with Eddie Davis and dominated the field with a mile in 1:58.2. Yankee Joker ($2.40, $2.40) left the gate as well with Tim Curtin at his lines, but failed to hold on for the win. Snazzy Jazz ($3.40) was third with Bill Long.

Action continued in race 13 for Sweater Weather ($7.20, $6.40, $3.20) and driver Sean Bier. Bier tipped the three-year-old Donerail filly out at the three-quarter pole and trotted home for the win in 2:01. Diamond Deal ($5.80, $8.60) put up a fight for driver Kelly Staten to finish second and Princess Nina ($5.20) flew home for third with John Wagner.

Live racing is scheduled to continue at Rosecroft next Friday evening, with a post time of 7:20 p.m.