by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — Stakes races dot the Tuesday (August 7) evening card at Rosecroft Raceway, as several divisions of the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund for both 2- and 3-year-old trotters and pacers are scheduled.

In the early, non-wagering portion of the card, 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers will face off for a purse of $28,300 in the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund.

The field includes Badlands Nitro (Wayne Long), CJ Striker (Corey Callahan), Lobo Billy (Roger Plante), Misquoted (Vic Kirby), Higher Mark (Frank Milby) and Best Cross (John Wagner). Three contenders have set marks this year; Badlands Nitro shows a victory in 1:54.1, Always A Choice won in 1:55 and Best Cross has a mark of 1:56.4.

The 3-year-old trotters are up in an early race as well for a purse of $14,400. GB’s Little Man (John Wagner), Sweet Daddy Siki (Donnie Russell), Xiao Han (Sam Belote), Man On Fire (Vic Kirby), Goalline Stand (Roger Plante), Bobby O (Frank Milby), TV Showoff (Chris Offutt) and Magic Mountain (Corey Callahan) will face the starter. Man On Fire shows a seasonal mark of 1:55.3 on the five-eighths track.

In the fifth carded race, a division for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters for $14,400, Powerful Committee is the 2-1 morning line choice from post position eight. Recently, the CR Commando gelding won by over four lengths in 2:01.3 at Harrington Raceway for trainer Robert Clark. Owned by Tina Clark, the Cantwell Bridge Stable and Joanne Clark, Powerful Committee already has over $118,000 in lifetime earnings.

From the rail out, other contenders include Shenandoah Shag (Vic Kirby, 10-1), Smokin Not Chokin (Corey Callahan, 5-1), Kursk (Frank Milby, 6-1), SJ’s Leo (Joe Offutt, 5-1), VIP Vacation (Sam Belote, 10-1), Bahama Yankee (David Wade, 5-1) and Jimmy And Josh (Wayne Long, 10-1).

Jim’s Message eyes two in a row in Open Trot

After winning in 1:57.3 last week, Jim’s Message will open on the board as the 9-5 morning line choice in the $9,000 Open Trot at Rosecroft Raceway on Tuesday.

The 6-year-old Carry The Message gelding, owned and trained by Jeff Long, will start from post position two with Vic Kirby in the bike. Sporting a line of 6-5-1 across the board from 18 seasonal starts, Jim’s Message has been showing strong speed recently and has upped his lifetime earnings to over $88,000.

Juanna Play Slots is second choice at 4-1 morning line odds after finishing fifth to Jim’s Message last week in 1:58.2. The 5-year-old Go Get Lost mare, co-owned by Gregg Morris and trainer Thomas Morris, Jr., will start from post four with Roger Plante, Jr. at her lines.

Completing the field are Chippewa Warrior (John Wagner, 5-1), Game Speed (Corey Callahan, 6-1) and Mountain Breez (Chris Offutt, 5-1).

The $8,000 Open Pace is headlined by Racing Naked at 3-1 early odds. Corey Callahan will be in the bike for the drive from post two. John Sumner trains the 7-year-old Misfit horse for owner William Camp, Jr. Racing Naked, who has a lifetime mark of 1:49.4 set at Colonial Downs, has banked over $254,000 in lifetime earnings.

Post time for Tuesday night’s 15-race card is 5:35 p.m.