Manklin Creek LLC's Huntress made her Rosecroft Raceway return a winning one and lowered her lifetime mark to 1:50.2 with a 1-1/4-length win over Pasta Delight in the $16,901 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace on Thursday, Oct. 23 — one of six wins on the card for her driver, Russell Foster.
The six-year-old Huntsville-Love And Honor mare pushed clear of Square Deal (driven by Trae Porter) to set splits of :26.2, :55.1 and 1:23. Off the home turn, Huntress shrugged off a bid from Square Deal, who vacated the pocket, and then parried an late bid from 15-1 runner-up Pasta Delight (William Carter), who took advantage of a path up the inside. Square Deal narrowly held third from Phoenix Rising (Frank Milby), another 4-3/4 lengths back.
Eric Ell trains 47-time winner Huntress, who paid $2.60 to win as the 1-5 favourite. She now sports $566,396 in earnings.
Foster, whose six wins led all drivers on the 13-race card, teamed up again with Ell in the sub-featured $10,563 conditioned trot to win with Greenspan (1:55, $2.10), who circled stalled cover on entry to the far turn and drew 6-1/4 lengths clear of runner-up Whoodle Hanover (Milby).
Foster also won with Papillion (1:55.1, $5.40), Hungry Lady (1:55.3, $4.00), Roll The Music (1:53.4, $10.60) and Chip Of Evil (1:53.4, $4.00).
Live harness racing at Rosecroft resumes Monday, Oct. 27; the Jackpot Hi-5, offered nightly in Race 10, features a $1,242.87 carryover. First post for the 13-race card is 7:15 p.m. (EDT).
(Rosecroft)