by Pete Medhurst, for Rosecroft Raceway

Ft. Washington, MD — Last week, Winter Games finished a neck behind as a beaten favorite. This week, she left no doubt, pounding the field into submission and winning by six lengths in 1:52.1 on a track rated sloppy with a one second allowance on Wednesday (Sept. 26) at Rosecroft.

Ricky Still guided the winner for Bib Roberts and trainer Megan Roberts. Still made the winning move down the backside, engulfing pacesetter Junkyard Treasure and got the jump on Cool Toy who didn’t get out until it was too late.

Still also posted a win with Robby Bobby for owner Robert Pyott and trainer John Pyott in 1:54.2.

Frank Milby book ended the 13-race card that endured a 25 minute weather delay after race one. In the opener, Milby stormed to the front with St Helena past the first quarter mark and never looked back for Seri Reddy and trainer Les Givens. In the nightcap, Stakeout smoked a :55.4 middle half and held on to beat a fast closing The Illuminator (John Wagner).

Russell Foster picked up a double, visiting a soggy winner’s circle with So Sublime, a new acquisition from Maine for Brittany and Michael Bounds, in 1:58.3. Lil Miss Gorgeous was an easy winner for William Cantrell and trainer John Cabot.

Jason Green handled business with Cedar Hall Heiress for Dale Hall Jr. and trainer Brian Wright and Donato’s Wish for Heidi Van Vliet.

In four non-betting Maryland Sires Stakes races, Foster posted a win with freshman pacing gelding Rockin The Shades for owner-trainer Kerry Welty in 1:55.2, edging out Sonny’s Blessing and pacesetter Berzerker who made a quick break in the paddock turn at the opening quarter mark but regrouped to grab the lead before the half for Tony Morgan. Foster was mired in a pack of horses and found room in the final 30 yards and his Cam’s Rocket gelding responded with a huge burst to get his first career win.

Rusty’s Houdini stamped himself as a major contender for next week’s 2-year-old pacing male final, winning his second straight elimination in a lifetime best 1:54.3 wire-to-wire for driver Jason Thompson. Andrew Scheller bred and owns the Rusty’s For Real gelding out of Scheller’s mare Forever Wonderbar. Jerry Nock handles the conditioning.

In the freshman filly trotting ranks, Pat’s A Keeper ran her record to a perfect five-for-five, winning in 1:58.2 by eight lengths for Jared Moyer. Pamela Wagner owns the Lockkeeper filly trained by Arlene Cameron.

Bossy Hilly, sired by Great George Two, was impressive in the other $6,500 filly preliminary in 1:59. Milby guided the winner home for Bib Roberts, Graham Grace Stables and trainer Leon Harris.

The top nine in points return for the finals next Wednesday night.