Fort Washington, MD – Native’s Filou made his debut for owner Robert Cacamese and trainer Steve LeBlanc a winning one by withstanding a sustained first-over attack from Don’tmesswithles to post a 1:50.1 score in Monday’s (April 21) $10,500 winners-over pacing feature at Rosecroft Raceway.
Driver Jonathan Roberts set sail for the lead with the 7-year-old Allamerican Native-Windsong Filou gelding at race’s outset, sprinting clear of Horse (driven by Billy Carter) and Shim (Justin Walters) midway around the first turn and throwing down blistering fractions of :25.4 and :54.2 before fending off a stern challenge from Don’tmesswithles, who ground forward to within a neck of the lead with five-sixteenths to go before being rebuffed.
After being pushed to three-quarters in 1:21.4, Native’s Filou edged clear again on the final turn and was driven out to a three-quarter-length win over a resurgent Don’tmesswithles. On The Cards N (Johnathan Ahle), off the 8-5 favorite, circled stalled cover turning for home and closed to save third.
Native’s Filou, now a 22-time winner, paid $10.40 to win.
Roberts came back in the finale to post the fastest mile of the meet with Willard Reynolds trainee Sheer Terror ($2.60), controlling splits of :25.4, :54.3 and 1:22 en route to a 1:49 win over Business Director and Starship in a $7,500 conditioned pace.
Russell Foster led all drivers with four wins on the 13-race program.
Live racing returns to Rosecroft on Wednesday (April 23) with 13 races carded and an $801.95 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 (race 10). First post is 7:15 p.m. (EDT).