After an unsuccessful foray into New York, Ammo made his return to Maryland a winning one, rallying off third-over cover to reel in pacesetter Business Director for a 1:51.3 win in the $14,789 Open Handicap Pace on Monday, Dec. 2 at Rosecroft Raceway.
Driver Jonathan Roberts angled 1-5 favourite Ammo into a third-over flow with nine-sixteenths to go and worked to within four lengths of a :56 half-mile controlled by 9-2 second choice Business Director (Russell Foster). As Business Director faced intensifying pressure from the first-over Lyons Stealth (Johnathan Ahle) to three-quarters in 1:23.1, Roberts pointed Ammo three-wide into the far turn and the four-year-old son of Sweet Lou-Beach Gal lifted steadily to collar Business Director in the final 40 yards and win going away by three-quarters of a length. Lyons Stealth finished third after being rebuffed off the home turn.
Manklin Creek and trainer Michael Hall share ownership of Ammo, who won a pair of Opens over the Rosecroft oval prior to his New York outing and has now won 10 times this season in 26 starts. He paid $2.60 to win.
The former Breeders Crown champ has won 14 races from 50 career starts with earnings now at $716,665.
William Carter led all drivers with four wins on the program while Russell Foster fashioned a hat trick.
Racing returns to Rosecroft on Wednesday, Dec. 4 with a 13-race card and a $17,187 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5. First post is 7:40 p.m.
(With files from Rosecroft Raceway)