by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — At even money odds by post time, Paradusho N ($4.40, $3.80, $3.00) dominated a field of $4,400 filly and mare pacers at Rosecroft Raceway on Saturday, March 17.

The seasoned 10-year-old Road Machine mare, owned by Alvin Mindel and trainer George Bartlett, easily took the lead from post position two as the starting gate drew away. Driver Frank Milby grabbed the front end after a :27.4 opening quarter, and slowed the middle half of the race down through well-rated fractions of :58.1 and 1:27. Paradusho N won by over a length in 1:56.4.

Badlands Queen ($7.60, $5.80) came from off of the pace for second. Driven by Tony Schadel for trainer Syl King, Jr., the 5-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover sat fifth through much of the mile to close with a :29 final quarter. The mare, overlooked at the betting windows, was the longest shot on the board at 15-1 odds. The Serendipity Stable owns Badlands Queen.

Dolly’s Pocket ($3.20) crossed under the wire third after tracking Paradusho N in the pocket through the mile. The 7-year-old In The Pocket mare, owned and trained by Patricia Ogonowski, went off at 10-1 odds by post time. Corey Braden drove the consistent performer to her eighth on-the-board finish this year.

The 2-3-1 trifecta paid $129.20.

Driver Wayne Long brings longshots to the winner’s circle

Wayne Long guided four horses to the winner’s circle on Saturday night at Rosecroft.

The first was in the opening race with Talbot Redneck ($5.40, $4.00, $2.10). The 3-year-old Misfit gelding came from off the pace through a first-over trip in a $2,400 maiden pace. The trainee of Ken Schlotzhauer found another gear nearing the stretch and drew away by over four lengths to win in a lifetime best of 1:59.1. Schlotzhauer and David Donahue co-own the gelding.

Long captured races six and seven. Strong Suit ($9.80, $3.20, $2.20) left alertly off of the gate from post position eight to get a pocket trip behind Grand Duke Hanover (Walter Callahan). Strong Suit, a 4-year-old Cam’s Card Shark horse entered in the $12,500 conditioned/claiming class worth $2,700, paced in the pocket as Grand Duke Hanover cut fractions of :29.1, 1:00.3 and 1:29.1. The trainee of Douglas Sweigart closed with a :29.3 final quarter in the stretch to win by a length in 1:59.1. Janice Hertzog owns Strong Suit.

In the seventh race, a $3,000 conditioned/claiming class with a purse of $1,800, Eldorado Sam ($17.40, $6.20, $6.80) paced first-over early in the mile to grind his way up for the win. The 10-year-old Nobleland Sam gelding, co-owned by June Grove, Felicia Hilleary and Mary Grove, won by a length over betting favorite Thisoldartofmine (Donnie Russell). William Grove III trains Eldorado Sam.

Long took the tenth race, a non-winners conditioned class for fillies and mares, with Mymymylookatherfly ($13.40, $4.40, $2.60). The 4-year-old daughter of Real Artist took home her share of the $3,400 purse with a second-over trip. Long angled the mare out at the half-mile marker and drew away by six lengths to win in 1:59.1. Roger Hans trains the mare for owner Tom Cooke.

Co-features highlight Monday card

Both an Open Pace and Trot, each worth $8,200, highlight the 14-race card at Rosecroft Raceway on Monday, March 19, as some of the top performers in Maryland are scheduled to compete.

In the sixth race, the Open Pace, the always-tough Dixie Pride will try his luck once again as the 5-2 morning line choice. Facing a field of six pacers from the rail, the 6-year-old Real Artist stallion will have trainer Joe Offutt at his lines. Last time in the Open, Dixie Pride finished third in 1:55.2. Offutt co-owns the stallion with George Aide.

Another tough contender, JJ’s Artiscape, will open on the board at 3-1 odds. The 6-year-old Artiscape gelding has been an extremely consistent performer on the Rosecroft oval. Driver Corey Callahan has taken the gelding to the winner’s circle in the past two editions of the pace. Trained by “Doc” Davison, Jr. for co-owners Mayanne Karmin and Sydell Stone, JJ’s Artiscape will leave the gate from post position five.

Rounding out the top three choices is Wynnfield Scamp at 7-2 odds. The 5-year-old son of Run The Table, owned and trained by Pam Polk, shows strong closing quarters in past performances. Frank Milby will drive the horse from post position two.

Desmet (Wayne Long, 5-1), Jacob’s Western (Corey Braden, 4-1) and Sidereal Hanover (John Wagner, 6-1) complete the field.

In the Open Trot, the eighth race, Goodbye Daddy is the early 2-1 choice from post position six. The 5-year-old Master Lavec gelding, trained by Don Milby for owner-driver Frank Milby, was a winner in this class last week from the outside post. The gelding currently has a seasonal mark of 1:58.

After performing very well recently, Duya Kid is set at 5-2 odds from post position four. Last week in this class, the 7-year-old Yankee Kid mare closed with a :28.3 final quarter to finish second to Goodbye Daddy. Trainer Basil Sapienza has again named Corey Callahan to drive. Duya Kid is co-owned by Gladys and James Downs.

Misty Moonlight, the third place finisher to Goodbye Daddy last week, is third on the morning line at 4-1 odds. The 4-year-old gelded son of Go Get Lost, owned and trained by Syl King, Jr., will have driver Corey Braden in the sulky.

JA El Mister Blue (John Wagner, 5-1), Four Starz Eye Van (Wayne Long, 8-1), and TV Show Kosmos (Chris Offutt, 9-2) round out the field.

Post time for Monday’s 14-race card is 5:35 p.m.