by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — With a full 11-race card slated for Friday, February 1, Rosecroft Raceway will kick off their 2008 racing season, implementing an earlier post time of 6:30 p.m.

Several good fields are carded, and the featured Open pace for fillies and mares is scheduled for the 10th race. Competing for a purse of $6,000, Drivin’ Miss Rudee is the heavily favored 9-5 morning line choice from post position five. After showing some success at both Harrah’s Chester and Dover Downs, the 6-year-old Walton Hanover mare looks to dominate the Rosecroft field.

Trained by John Sumner, Drivin’ Miss Rudee is coming off of a sick scratch, however, and paced in 1:55.4 in her last start on January 15. Donnie Russell will drive the mare for owners Sumner and William Camp, Jr.

Gen-U-Wine Raider is another to consider from post position two at 7-2 early odds. Trained by Tom Swann for owners Julie and Lois Swann, the 7-year-old Keystone Raider mare will make her first start back after nearly two months off. Last time at Rosecroft, Gen-U-Wine Raider paced to a fifth place finish in 1:57. Frank Milby will drive the mare, as Milby had several wins aboard the pacer late last year.

Driver Sean Bier will return to the Rosecroft oval, and will be at the lines of You Diehl from the rail. Set to open on the board at 4-1 morning line odds, the trainee of Ron MacArthur qualified well on January 23, finishing second in 1:59.2 with an easy mile. The 5-year-old Western Ideal mare is co-owned by MacArthur and Richard Smith.

Rounding out the well-matched field are Gorgeous Lover (Corey Braden, 5-1), Galaxy Girl (Wayne Long, 5-1) and Grace Of Hearts (Kelly Staten, 6-1).

A ‘Twin Trifecta’ wager is now available every Friday and Saturday night of live racing in the seventh and ninth races. The minimum wager is $1.00, and there is a guaranteed $5,000 pool.