Dice Dice Baby stalked a contested early pace, mounted a three-wide backside blitz and narrowly parried Fancy Like That to score a 1:52.2 win in the $13,194 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Rosecroft Raceway on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Roger Plante Jr. floated Dice Dice Baby from the outside post eight into fifth as Talk Show Chica (Corey Braden) and Emmy Lou Hayes (William Carter) duelled through opening fractions of :26.2 and :54. As Emmy Lou Hayes began to tire in the breeze, Dice Dice Baby, who had angled second-over on the clubhouse turn, swung three-wide with over three-eighths to go and advanced to within striking range past three-quarters in 1:22.3.

Turning for home, Dice Dice Baby collared Talk Show Chica and began to edge forward, only for pocket rival Fancy Like That (Eric Davis) to emerge up the open stretch after sitting just off the contested pace. Dice Dice Baby found the winning post in time, prevailing by a nose over Fancy Like That's inside rally. Talk Show Chica finished third, beaten a half length. The 5-2 favourite, Papillon, could only muster a fourth-place finish after being blocked in traffic through the far turn and homestretch.

William Cox trains the Michael Somerville homebred Dice Dice Baby, a six-year-old Rockincam mare with six wins to her name this season in 32 starts and 16 victories in her career. She paid $10.60 to win.

In the sub-featured $11,806 top-level conditioned trot, Eric Foster's homebred College Tuition drilled fractions of :26.3, :56.3 and 1:24.1 en route to a 2-1/4-length 1:53.1 win over Judge Bob. Russell Foster drove the six-year-old Donato Hanover gelding, who paid $3 to win, to his 18th career victory.

Live harness racing returns to Rosecroft on Monday, Nov. 11. The Jackpot Hi-5 carryover stands at $12,652.15. First post is scheduled for 7:40 p.m.

(Rosecroft Raceway)