by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — Real Art ($4.20, $2.40, $2.40) paced a blistering mile in the $8,000 Open II event at Rosecroft Raceway on Tuesday, August 28, setting a new track record for older gelding pacers with a mile in 1:50.1.

The 6-year-old Artiscape gelding, trained by Brian Callahan, sat fourth along the rail through a swift opening quarter of :26.2. Driven by Victor Kirby, Real Art came first-over at the half in :54 and dueled for the lead around the final turn of the race. Pacing past the three-quarter pole in 1:22, the gelding hit another gear to draw away, winning by just over three lengths with a :28.1 last quarter.

Callahan co-owns Real Art with William Stevenson of Maryland. With this victory, the gelding upped his lifetime earnings to over $150,000 and has now hit the board in 15 of 22 seasonal starts.

The prior track record of 1:50.3 was held by Cambiscuit (Steve Warrington), set on June 10, 2000.

The Fraternity Pan ($3.80, $2.20) paced a brave mile for second with Brian Burton at his lines. Following Real Art to the half, the 8-year-old Artsplace horse was forced three-wide at the top of the stretch. The trainee of Ken Schlotzhauer closed well with a :28 last quarter, making up several lengths in the stretch. The talented veteran is owned by Kelley Rogers.

Third under the wire was Jennaration ($2.60), a 4-year-old gelded son of Jenna’s Beach Boy. Driven by Frank Milby for trainer George Bartlett, Jennaration paced along the rail for a competitive finish in the $29.60 trifecta. Bartlett co-owns the gelding with Alvin Mindel.

Crazy For Ever scores in Open Pace

With a trip in the pocket, Crazy For Ever ($8.80, $2.20, $2.10) won by a neck in the $9,000 top-level Open Pace on Tuesday with leading driver Frank Milby in the bike.

Trained by George Bartlett, the 6-year-old Life Sign gelding followed favorite True North Hanover (Donnie Russell) through quarters of :28, :56.1 and 1:23.2. Milby drove Crazy For Ever hard to the wire, finishing a neck ahead of his contenders in 1:51 with a :27.2 last quarter. The finish was extremely close across the line, with every horse in the race pacing home in :27 and a piece.

True North Hanover ($2.20, $2.10) held on for second. The 4-year-old gelded son of The Panderosa, co-owned by Edward Needle and trainer-driver Donnie Russell, was a winner last week against similar competition.

Jacob’s Western ($4.40) was close for third, only 1-3/4 lengths behind the winner. Wayne Long was in the bike for trainer Colby Hubble, and the 6-year-old Western Hanover gelding was game at 60-1 odds. Hubble and Jacob Ramsburg co-own the pacer.

The triple returned $214.80.

Magic Swan impressive in Open Trot

After being forced to fight traffic with a wide journey in the stretch, Magic Swan ($7.60, $4.40, $2.20) won by 3-1/2 lengths in the $10,000 Open Trot on Tuesday evening.

At 2-1 odds by post time, the 5-year-old Enjoy Lavec gelding was shuffled back during opening fractions of :29 and :58.2. Under the guidance of driver Victor Kirby, Magic Swan came third-over to the three-quarter pole in 1:27.2, and ended up about five-wide in the stretch. The trainee of Jeff Long won in 1:57. Long co-owns Magic Swan with James Harris and J. Paul Long.

Quiet Tech ($3.80, $2.60), who briefly held the lead through the middle half of the mile, finished second as the 8-5 betting choice. Driven by Donnie Russell for trainer John Ducharme, the 5-year-old High Tech horse was sharp to the wire, but no match for the swiftly-closing Magic Swan. Ducharme co-owns Quiet Tech with Leslie Ducharme.

Mountain Breez ($2.40) came from last to third at 22-1 odds. Reined by Chris Offutt for father Joe, the 5-year-old S J’s Photo mare made up about three lengths in the back half of the mile. Anne McDonald owns the mare, who closed out the $198.00 trifecta.

Harness racing action returns to the Maryland oval this Saturday (September 1) at 7:20 p.m.