News & Notes

It pays to pay attention to betting pools, particularly when they are smaller than average. This played out again in the first race Sunday, Sept. 30.

Go Big Spinder was sent off at 12-1 in a very competitive “winners over” pace with a field of nine and got a perfect inside trip to win. He paid $27.40 on top but $37 to place and $12.80 to show.

The win, place and show pools at Rosecroft can be on the light side, particularly at times of day when there is more competition for the simulcast dollar. And, because most of the money comes in at the last minute, pools must be monitored after the starting gate begins moving.

Just be aware of potential opportunity. And remember, because some pools are small, it wouldn’t take a whole lot of money to drop that $37 place price down to $15 or $10. Pick your spots and proceed accordingly.

The Wednesday, Oct. 3, program features four Maryland Sire Stakes finals, and take note that the Pick 5 has been pushed back to races 11 through 15—all of them overnight events. The stakes are set for races 6 through 9.

Here’s a look at several races on the Wednesday card:

Race 8

The Maryland Sire Stakes final for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers sets up as fun race to examine given a strong three-horse entry in a field of nine. Despite that, favoritism could go to Rusty’s Houdini, who won back-to-back preliminary legs impressively with the switch to the bigger track and draws well in post 4. Rockin The Shades draws the pylons and has turned in two very nice efforts in the preliminary rounds; he’s certainly dangerous if he can work out a trip. Officer Wholihan closed well behind Rusty’s Houdini in the two local preliminaries and could slip away at a generous price; he didn’t compete in the first sire stakes final at Ocean Downs but seems like an improved horse at Rosecroft. The winner of the first final, Owzitgoin, defeated seven of these in that race but draws post 9 and is the longest price on the morning line. Interesting.

Race 10

In the top race of the week for filly and mare pacers, many are moving up in class—at least by condition—but exiting common races. Rowdy Patti in her first local appearance of the meet circled wide from last at the three-quarter mark but couldn’t get close to Winter Games, a strong winner in 1:52 1/5. Her fast closing quarter in her return to the five-eighths-mile track was a good sign, and she’ll likely have to do her work from off the pace again.

Race 14

Cedar Hall Heiress is back up to the “non-winners of $2,500 in the last 5 starts” class after a comfortable win at the lower condition level. She appears the fastest on her best night and there doesn’t appear to be any monsters in here. Sams Lucky Lady was sharp in a two-move second-place finish at this level last week and retains an inside draw, but note that Jared Moyer, who drove her in her last two starts, opted for Always A Rose, who went a nice mile from off the pace after a two-month rest and should move up with some live cover.