Trainer Ron Burke sent the first two finishers in the $120,000 Courageous Lady at Northfield Park on Saturday, October 14, with Rosemary Rose and Pittstop Danika crossing the line first and second.
Rosemary Rose, driven by Mike Wilder, and sat sixth through the opening lap off fractions of :26.4 and :55. She pulled third over and was three wide the final three-eighths of the mile. She struck the lead approaching the top of the stretch and bested her competition by one-and-three-quarter lengths in 1:53.
"I love this filly,” Wilder said. “She might have been a long shot on the board, but I always thought she had a big chance.”
Ron Burke, harness racing’s leading trainer, conditions Rosemary Rose for owners Burke Racing Stable, Jason Melillo and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The victory is Burke’s fourth win in this event over the last five years, scoring with Charisma Hanover in 2013, Fiyonce in 2014 and Sassa Hanover in 2015.
“I knew she would be ready, Ronnie [Burke] has them ready for every dance,” said Wilder.
Completing the field were Pittstop Danika, Bettor’s Up, Terrortina, Bourbon And Barley, Ella Christina and Big City Betty. Al-Mar-Got A Fever was scratched sick.
Rosemary Rose, by Foreclosure N out of The Panderosa mare Pantahion, now has 11 wins in 24 lifetime starts. Saturday’s victory increased her career bankroll to $231,292. She returned $20.60 to win.
(With files from Northfield Park)