Walter Birney Jr.’s Dontmesswithles used a sustained first-over rally to capture the $16,667 Open Handicap Pace at Rosecroft Raceway on Sunday, May 11, securing his sixth win of the season.
Driven by Roger Plante Jr., Dontmesswithles left from post five before yielding to the tandem of Natives Filou (William Carter) and Sheer Terror (Jonathan Roberts) through a sharp :26.1 quarter. After being relegated to third as Sheer Terror cleared for control with a circuit to go, Dontmesswithles stalked a :54.1 half before angling first-over before the 1:21.4 three-quarter juncture but failed to make headway on the far turn. But in the stretch, the six-year-old Captaintreacherous-JK Letitgo gelding dug in and surged late, collaring 6-5 favourite Sheer Terror in the final strides to prevail by a neck in 1:50. Natives Filou held for third after a pocket trip.
Howard Birney trains 17-time winner Dontmesswithles, who paid $5.60 to win as the 9-5 second choice.
Plante and Jared Moyer shared top driving honours on the 13-race card with three wins apiece.
Live harness racing resumes at Rosecroft on Wednesday, May 14, headlined by four $95,000 USD Maryland Sire Stakes finals for three-year-olds. Wagering opportunities include carryovers of $862.28 in the Pick-5 (Races 3–7) and $6,390.87 in the Jackpot Hi-5 (Race 10). The three-year-old male trot Sire Stakes final will be held as a non-wagering event at 6:45 p.m., with the 13-race pari-mutuel card beginning at 7:15 p.m.
(With files from Rosecroft Raceway; photo of Dontmesswithles from a previous win)