Fort Washington, MD — Out and moving with a circuit to go, Phoenix Rising used an extended first-over grind to overpower early pacesetter Fancy Like That and surge powerfully to a lifetime-best 1:52.3 win in Wednesday’s (Dec. 4) $10,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Rosecroft Raceway.
Fancy Like That and driver Eric Davis sprinted clear of Bluebird Ina (William Carter) to secure the top spot through a blistering :26 first quarter. Once in control, Fancy Like That baked the pace down dramatically, prompting Frank Milby to angle Phoenix Rising first-up from fourth with five-eighths of the mile remaining.
The 4-year-old Movie Idol-Scarlet Pandemic mare advanced steadily, took over from a tiring Fancy Like That with five-sixteenths to go, and drew clear to win by a widening 4-1/2 lengths. Bluebird Ina escaped a failing pocket on the final turn to save second; Talk Show Chica (Corey Braden) circled three-wide off the home turn to finish third over 2-1 favorite Villannah (Johnathan Ahle), who only mustered mild gains as the pace collapsed.
Trainer Franklin Gannon III co-owns 16-time winner Phoenix Rising, who paid $11.60 to win, with Elizabeth Gannon.
In the evening’s top trot, a $6,500 conditioned event, Maryland Sire Stakes champion Only I Exist ran her seasonal record to a perfect 10-for-10. She vaulted three-wide around dueling leaders Timestorm and Givem The Goo into the far turn and sprinted home through a :27.3 last quarter to score by 4-3/4 lengths in a career best 1:54.3 and returned $4.80 to win. Russell Foster, who led all drivers with three wins on the 13-race card, piloted the Yall Beneath Me-Get Rich Quick filly for owner-breeder-trainer Richard Hans.
Live racing returns to Rosecroft on Monday (Dec. 9) with a Jackpot Hi-5 carryover of $18,452.92. First post is 7:40 p.m. (EST).