After yielding the lead to Horse for a pocket ride through the middle half, Walden Woods rallied in the stretch for a narrow 1:52.2 victory in the Monday, March 3 featured event at Rosecroft Raceway, a $14,493 Winners Over Pace.
Walden Woods and driver Justin Walters asserted themselves midway on the first turn to clear Horse (William Carter) at the end of a :26.3 first-quarter duel, only to yield to that rival in favour of a two-hole trip with a circuit to go. After Horse evaded the first-over Drowns The Whiskey through middle splits of :55.4 and 1:24, Walters wedged Walden Woods out of the pocket midway through the far turn and the seven-year-old Betting Line gelding rallied to nab Horse by a nose in the final strides. Shim (Russell Foster) stalked the front flight throughout and finished a late-closing third up the inside, only a half length behind.
Samuel Young owns and trains Walden Woods, a 29-time winner who paid $10 to win as the 4-1 second choice.
Jonathan Roberts led all drivers with four wins on the 12-race card.
Live harness racing returns to Rosecroft on Wednesday, March 5. First post for the 12-race program is 7:15 p.m.
(Rosecroft Raceway)