by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — In a $15,300 division of the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund for 3-year-old colts and geldings on Saturday (July 7), Southern Myles is set to open on the board as the 1-5 morning line choice after winning four consecutive miles over the Rosecroft Raceway oval.

The Nuclear High colt, owned by Gerald Kelly of Virginia, is a winner of over $139,000 lifetime to date. Trained by Richard Hans, Southern Myles will start from post position six with Brandon Givens in the sulky. The colt currently has a mark of 1:51.4 set four starts back against similar competition.

“There’s more pressure driving a 1-5 shot than driving a 20-1 shot,” reinsman Givens said when asked about being the overwhelming favorite. “You’re expected to win. If something happens during the race, it’s the driver’s fault — not the horse’s.”

Southern Myles’ closest contender is Mental Lapse at 8-1 morning line odds. The Shotgun Scott gelding was second to Southern Myles last time out in 1:53.4. Trained by Shaun Callahan for owners Henry Faragalli III, Arthur Feeney, Tom Jackson and Anthony Clark, the gelding continues to show improvement with each start. Victor Kirby will drive Mental Lapse from post position four.

Jesse’s Bad Boy (Wayne Whitson, Jr., 20-1), Western Jet (Walter Callahan, 20-1), General Nelson (John Wagner, 10-1) and Mismark (Donnie Russell, 20-1) round out the third race field.

In the sixth race is another division of the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund for colts and geldings, worth $15,300. Mountain Air is set as the early 8-5 choice after winning in 1:56.2 at Goshen in a stakes race. Trained by Syl King, Jr., the Badlands Hanover gelding also shows strong miles at Harrington Raceway, topping the field by over five lengths in 1:56 on June 27. Donnie Russell will drive from post five for owners Syl King, Jr., Rosalind Silletto, Frank Burgaretta and Joseph Benedetti, Jr.

Yokozuna Bo also looks competitive at 5-2 morning line odds. After finishing third to Southern Myles on June 30, the Allie’s Western colt will again have Matt Stelick in the sulky. Trained by Betsy Brown for owner Ralph Hayward, Yokozuna Bo will start from post position two.

Completing the field are Tylan High (Wayne Long, 12-1), Bet The Aces (Frank Milby, 6-1), Fast Tempo (John Wagner, 5-1) and Hard Head (Brandon Givens, 5-1).

Drivin’ Miss Rudee favored in Open Pace

Drivin’ Miss Rudee will open on the board as the 5-2 lukewarm choice in the $10,000 Open I pace for fillies and mares on Saturday after finishing third against similar on June 30.

The 5-year-old Walton Hanover mare drew post position seven in the field of eight and will have Donnie Russell at her lines for a second consecutive week. Trained by John Sumner, Drivin’ Miss Rudee has a line of 5-5-1 across the board from 18 seasonal starts. Sumner co-owns the winner of over $159,000 lifetime with William Camp, Jr.

All About Winning looks promising as well at 3-1 early odds. The 6-year-old Albert Albert mare, owned by Charles Nitkowski, was fifth her last start at Rosecroft in 1:53.3 against the tough Kellytuck Sophie. Trained by Kay Gannon, the mare will have Brandon Givens in the sulky for the mile.

Boca Hanover rounds out the top three at 4-1 odds. After ending a win streak on June 23 with a third place finish to Riddlemethat, the mare will start from post four with regular reinsman Frank Milby in the sulky. The 5-year-old daughter of The Panderosa is trained by Don Milby and owned by Irwin Samelman.

Post time for Saturday’s card is 7:20 p.m.