Fort Washington, MD – Peace Talks vaulted three-wide up the backstretch around failing cover and drew clear to a 3-1/4-length, 1:53.4 win — her second in as many starts this season — in Thursday’s (Feb. 19) co-featured $10,000 top-level distaff pace at Rosecroft Raceway.
In line to Jonathan Roberts, Peace Talks angled second-over behind Dice Dice Baby (driven by Jared Moyer) approaching a :57 first half. As Dice Dice Baby’s uncovered bid stalled up the backstretch, Roberts pointed Peace Talks three-wide, and the 5-year-old American Ideal-Triple V Hanover mare accelerated at once to circle her cover and take the lead from early pacesetter Phoenix Rising (Corey Braden) at the 1:24.4 three-quarters. From there, she drew clear steadily to evade a mild challenge from pocket rival and runner-up Oh Ophelia (Roger Plante Jr.) while measured to the winning post. Phoenix Rising finished third.
Michael Hall trains seven-time winner Peace Talks, who paid $2.20 to win, for John Littleton Jr.
Dowedealinandwhy and Jared Moyer captured the co-featured $10,000 top-level trot, sustaining overland gains before inheriting the pocket up the backstretch and collaring leader Crossfit Mouse to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:58. Trainer Colby Hubble co-owns the 6-year-old Wheeling N Dealin-Gaelic Princess gelding, who paid $7 to win, with Scott Perkins.
Roberts led all drivers with three wins on the 13-race card.
Live harness racing returns to Rosecroft on Monday (Feb. 23) with another 13-race card and a Jackpot Hi-5 carryover of $19,851.33. First post is 7:15 p.m. (EST).