News & Notes

Just a reminder there are 13 races on the Thanksgiving Eve program Nov. 21, including the return of the “winners over” pace for fillies and mares. Here’s a look at several events on the Sunday, Nov. 18, card:

Race 1

Hickory Aloha left from post 7 in last week’s Open I pace and had to take a tuck in fourth through a wicked :26 opening quarter-mile. There was plenty of movement and he got the shuffle last and came home OK from an impossible spot in a race won by Rock N’ Roll Jet, who went last to first with a strong :27 1/5 closing quarter. He moves inside several spots and may secure a golden spot in a very tough field.

Race 4

This interesting “NW 2 life” pace has a couple of out-of-towners: Phat Blue Chip, in from Ohio and now trained by Arlene Cameron; and Luck Of The Deal, yet another Maine shipper for trainer Eric Davis. It seems, however, a few of the Rosecroft regulars have the edge here, particularly Rock King Deo, who went first up against the tough and consistent B A Rocket (Race 2) a week ago and is due for a smoother trip.

Race 6

The last two starts in the “non-winners of $2,500 in the last five starts” class for Toms Titan produced two quality efforts in 1:53 and change—a win on the engine and a second from off the pace. He drops from a very tough edition of a “non-winners of $4,000” pace a week ago and has the speed to land a good spot.

Race 11

Bro Hanover returns to Rosecroft after being hard-used through fast fractions at Dover Downs Nov. 8 in a decent condition event in his first pari-mutuel race in almost a month. He’ll have to deal with the speedy Rocktavius, who has raced in the Open I here in his last five starts and looms the one to beat. Outstand Forever and Allie’s Finale drew the outside posts but a shootout up front early—Mars Man moves up in class but has enough early gas to make things interesting—puts them in the mix; class is not in question.