David Banks' homebred Ragtime Red extended her win streak to six with a lifetime-best 1:51.2 effort in the $16,667 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Rosecroft Raceway on Thursday, Sept. 18.
In line to Trae Porter, the three-year-old Getitoffyourchest-Red High Heels filly pushed forward out of midfield to clear Square Deal (driven by Jonathan Roberts) after a contested :26 first quarter, controlled the terms through middle splits of :54.2 and 1:23.3, and used a :27.4 closing panel to withstand a late charge from Square Deal by a diminishing head. Awesome Hill (Russell Foster) stalked the top pair throughout and finished third, beaten 2-3/4 lengths.
Donald Brittingham trains Ragtime Red, a three-time Maryland Sire Stakes champion who now has won 15 of her 22 career starts and amassed $313,357 in earnings.
Live harness racing at Rosecroft resumes Monday, Sept. 22. The first of four non-wagering Maryland Sire Stakes first-round preliminary events for two-year-olds will commence at 5:30 p.m.; the 13-race pari-mutuel card features two additional Maryland Sire Stakes preliminaries and will begin at the customary 7:15 p.m. On the wagering front, the 50-cent Jackpot Hi-5, which is offered in race 10, has a $1,141.98 carryover.
(with files from Rosecroft)