Racing Returns October 24th

Live racing returns to Rosecroft Oct. 24 after a Sunday program that was halted after the sixth race because of a blown transformer that left the homestretch without lighting. The Open I and “winner’s over” paces were among the seven races that had to be canceled.

Here’s a look at several races on the Wednesday card that begins at 6:40 p.m.:

Race 2

Sometimes it’s tough to give 2-year-olds an edge over older competition, but the older entrants in this “non-winners of 1 pari-mutuel race lifetime” event—all three had to draw the outside posts—are a combined 0-for-49 lifetime and a couple of the 2-year-olds have shown some promise. Sketcher brings strong form on the half-miler at Shenandoah Downs (Woodstock) to the bigger track, has speed and can come home well enough to be a major factor here. Of the 3-year-olds, Dancingaroundapole is probably quickest from the gate and should land a decent trip.

Race 5

This evenly-matched group of fillies and mares who haven’t won 2 pari-mutuel races lifetime (or 3 with the Maryland preference) may boil down to who leaves and gets early position, because many lack serious late kick. So Sublime has been sharp since her arrival from Maine and shows a win here in 1:55 2/5; post 8 shouldn’t be an issue. Hillbillyheartache showed more than enough at Woodstock, and note that Frank Milby traveled to Virginia to drive her in her last two starts in stakes; she looks like the inside speed. Lima Illusion was so-so after the shuffle a week ago but her effort two starts back puts her in the mix.

Race 10

Hillbilly Jet has four seconds in her five starts at the fall meet thus far but it hasn’t been for lack of effort. She’s a grinder that’s not afraid of a first-over trip, and in her last two outings had a little too much to do versus two strong front-end winners; it’s just a matter of when.

Race 11

The computerized morning line for this bottom-level condition pace has a “throw a blanket over them” feel with seven horses between 4-1 and 7-1. But it’s a safe bet Emma Ivy, who just missed in her local debut after spending much of the year in western New York and Canada, won’t be 5-1 on the grounds that any improvement from last week makes her tough to beat. The one drawback is she doesn’t show strong last quarter-miles, but the competition doesn’t, either.Racing