Out and moving with a circuit to go, Phoenix Rising used an extended first-over grind to overpower early pacesetter Fancy Like That and surge powerfully to a lifetime-best 1:52.3 win in the $14,789 Fillies and Mares Open Pace on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Rosecroft Raceway.
Fancy Like That (Eric Davis) sprinted clear of Bluebird Ina (William Carter) to secure the top spot through a blistering :26 first quarter. Once in control, Fancy Like That baked the pace down dramatically, prompting Frank Milby to angle Phoenix Rising first-up from fourth with five-eighths of the mile remaining. The four-year-old Movie Idol-Scarlet Pandemic mare advanced steadily, took over from a tiring Fancy Like That with five-sixteenths to go and drew clear to win by a widening 4-1/2 lengths. Bluebird Ina escaped a failing pocket on the final turn to save second. Talk Show Chica (Corey Braden) circled three-wide off the home turn to finish third over 2-1 favourite Villannah (Johnathan Ahle), who only mustered mild gains as the pace collapsed.
Trainer Franklin Gannon III co-owns 16-time winner Phoenix Rising with Elizabeth Gannon. Phoenix Rising paid $11.60 to win.
In the evening's top trot, a $9,155 conditioned event, Maryland Sire Stakes champion Only I Exist ran her seasonal record to a perfect 10-for-10 after she vaulted three-wide around duelling leaders Timestorm (Corey Braden) and Givem The Goo (Jared Moyer) into the far turn and sprinted home through a :27.3 last quarter to score by 4-3/4 lengths in a career-best 1:54.3.
Russell Foster, who led all drivers with three wins on the 13-race card, piloted the Yall Beneath Me-Get Rich Quick filly for owner-breeder-trainer Richard Hans. Only I Exist returned $4.80 to win.
Live harness racing returns to Rosecroft on Monday, Dec. 9 with a Jackpot Hi-5 carryover of $18,452.92. First post is 7:40 p.m.
(Rosecroft Raceway)