by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

Ft. Washington, MD — Perhaps one of the most talented fillies competing in the Maryland Sires Stakes this year, Warden Woodie, will attempt to win for a second consecutive week in a $3,000 preliminary division for 2-year-old filly pacers on Tuesday (September 11) at Rosecroft.

The daughter of Allie’s Western, part of a Frederick Kessell owner entry, will start from post position six in the nine-horse field. Trained by Manley Brown, Jr., Warden Woodie paced gate-to-wire last week in 1:57.1 with a :27.3 last quarter, taking her first lifetime win with John Wagner in the sulky. The filly has hit the board each of her seven starts to date. This week, Chris Offutt will be aboard for the drive, and the pair will open on the board as the 6-5 morning line choice.

The other half of the Kessell entry is Jacqui’s Jewells, and Wagner will drive the Allie’s Western filly from post position eight. Last time out with Offutt at her lines, the filly took a misstep before the start of the mile and failed to recover, finishing seventh. However, two starts back, she put in a strong performance with a :28.2 last quarter at Ocean Downs.

The field of nine fillies will head to the gate in the eighth race, and also includes Indeman (Frank Milby, 10-1), Simply Naked (Jonathan Roberts, 10-1), Two Opals (Wayne Long, 15-1), Misdori (Ben Stafford, Jr., 4-1), Winsmith Brianna (Donnie Russell, 5-1), Scotts Girl (Vic Kirby, 10-1) and Southern Blue (Jeff Fout, 8-1).

Sophomore colt and gelding trotters, also vying for a preliminary purse of $3,000, are headed up by Kursk at 5-2 morning line odds. The Go Get Lost gelding was a strong winner last week in 2:00.4 with Frank Milby at his lines, and has been showing early gate speed which may help him overcome post position eight. Ken Shand trains Kursk for owner Shirley Shand.

Go Get Jacqui (Syl King, Jr., 3-1), Montabello Jake (Donnie Russell, 3-1), Xiao Han (Jeff Fout, 10-1), Goalline Stand (Jonathan Roberts, 6-1), Magic Mountain (Billy Mann, 4-1), Jimmy And Josh (Wayne Long, 10-1), Shenandoah Shag (Vic Kirby, 8-1) and Chef Tommy D (Kelly Staten, 10-1) round out the field.

Two early, non-wagering races are also scheduled; 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers include Only Shot (Donnie Russell), CJ Striker (Frank Milby), Best Cross (John Wagner), Higher Mark (Jonathan Roberts), Coppertop (Billy Mann) and Boss Outlaw (Vic Kirby).

Also, 3-year-old filly trotters will go head-to-head before the wagering card. Set to go are Strutting Gabi (Jim Morand), Loss Limitation (Keith Banks), Go Get Blanche (Dan Myer), Et And Al (Jonathan Roberts), Secret Impression (John Wagner), Teenie Beanie (Syl King, Jr.) and Dilly Dally Delia (Vic Kirby).

Jim’s Message eyes repeat in Open Trot

After wiring a competitive field last week, Jim’s Message will try to earn a photo in the winner’s circle once again in the $10,000 Open Trot.

Owned and trained by Jeff Long, the 6-year-old Carry The Message gelding has been showing much improvement recently; last week, under the guidance of regular driver Vic Kirby, Jim’s Message won by a length in 1:57, setting a new seasonal mark. The gelding has hit the board in 14 of 21 seasonal starts and has nearly $100,000 banked lifetime.

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