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by James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator at Harrah’s Chester
Casino and Racetrack

Despite being overshadowed by Buck I St Pat’s 1:52.57 world-record
performance in the Maxie Lee Memorial Trot at Harrah’s Chester this
past week, many horses turned in noteworthy performances throughout
the week.

Sunday (May 25) afternoon’s Open Pace saw Mister Big ($3.40) return to
the races after a long string of qualifiers. Sitting second-over on
the far turn, Brian Sears tipped the five-year-old Grinfromeartoear
entire three-wide at the head of the stretch and nailed Philos Hanover
(Cat Manzi) at the line to secure a 1:50.0 win.

Tivoli Hanover ($17.20) was also victorious from the second-over
position, kicking off the cover of Noble Falcon to take the
Four-Year-Old Open in 1:49.4.  Daniel Dube drove the gelded son of
Western Hanover.  Hennessy Hanover (Ron Pierce) and For Starz Sue (Tim
Tetrick) also broke the 1:50 mark, turning in miles of 1:49.2 and
1:49.3, respectively.

The Mares Open Pace on Monday (May 26) afternoon saw My Little Dragon
($4.40) turn in a simply dominant performance, brushing to the front
just after the quarter and drawing clear by 6-3/4 lengths in a 1:50.1
mile.  Australian Andrew McCarthy handled the driving duties on the
five-year-old Dragon Again mare.

Wednesday’s (May 28) card saw Harrah’s Chester attract record handle,
with $885,009 wagered on the thirteen-race card.  Harness racing in
greater Philadelphia continues to gain the respect of punters
nationwide, with average daily handle exceeding $540,000.

Be aware that on June 15 and August 17 (both Sunday afternoons),
Harrah’s Chester will employ a 3:00 p.m. first post.

FT. WASHINGTON, MD – Frank Milby, 29, hit a career milestone in early June, scoring his 1,000th driving win. Professionally in the sulky since around 1998, Milby earned this notable win at Harrington Raceway on June 4th with Bengali, a Lindy Lane gelding.

Milby’s best season to date was in 2007 with 227 wins and over $1.1 million in earnings. A native of Easton, Maryland, Milby plans to spend the summer driving at Ocean Downs and surrounding tracks.

No stranger to the sport, Milby has been involved since he can remember. “I think growing up around it has really inspired me, my family’s been doing this since I believe the 60’s… I was a little lazy [picking up catch drives] when I started out, but started doing it more in the past couple years.”

“My favorite horse has to be Pilgrim’s Fiery – I got to drive him from when he was 10 to age 14 when he retired,” Milby continued. “I won his 100th race at Rosecroft in 2003 and I got to drive him the night he won over $1 million lifetime.”

“I want to keep working my way into Delaware, maybe become part of the top five in the driving colony, it would be a good goal to have over here,” Milby said when asked about his future goals. “I appreciate all the trainers that put me up and I can’t wait for early July to get here so I can be at Ocean Downs full time and relax.”

-Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway

FT. WASHINGTON, MD — Driver Justin Brenneman, 18, scored his first career win aboard Mafia Hall [$17.80, $7.20, $3.40] at Rosecroft Raceway on Saturday, taking top honors in a non-winners pace with a mile in 1:56.2.

Guided off of the gate from post position five at 7/1 odds, the four-year-old Blissfull Hall gelding dropped into the pocket behind Admiral’s Scooter (John Wagner). Mafia Hall paced through a well-rated mile of 28.2, 59.0 and 1:27.3, and was fourth in the stretch before hitting another gear. Brenneman urged the trainee of Roman Miller on to the wire, winning by half of a length with a last quarter of 28.3. The gelding is co-owned by Dana West and Sharon Baker, both of Maryland.

Admiral’s Scooter [$3.20, $3.60] held on for second with a valiant effort, closing in 28.4. Jason Walters owns and trains the 11-year-old Admirals Galley gelding.

Dancing Up A Storm [$2.80], a seven-year-old Village Jekyll gelding, finished third with Wayne Long at his lines. Owned and trained by Jackie Roe, Dancing Up A Storm worked out an easy trip along the rail to save ground. The trifecta paid a notable $510.00.

-Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway

FT. WASHINGTON, MD – The longest shot on the board, Imperious [$57.80, $12.40 $3.60], won the $4,200 featured pace at Rosecroft Raceway on Saturday with ease in 1:54.3.

Driven by Wayne Long, the six-year-old Glowing Tribute gelding sat in the pocket through early quarters of 27.0 and 57.0. Long asked the gelding for more near the three-quarter pole in 1:25.1, and Glowing Tribute responded, closing in 29.1 to beat the field by a length and a half. Roger Hans trains the gelding for owner Tom Cooke.

Instigator [$2.80, $2.10] finished second after coming from nearly eight lengths off of the pace. Driven well by Chris Offutt, the eight-year-old Presidential Ball gelding was strong through the middle half of the mile. Bib Roberts trains for the Graham Grace Stables LLC.

Third were Bucktown Badboy [$2.20] and driver Timmy Offutt. The duo, off at even-money odds, were parked through the middle half and ran into minor interference around the three-quarter pole. The six-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding, owned and trained by Doc Davison Jr., paced in a respectable 1:55.0 despite the trouble.

The trifecta returned $247.20.

Reinsman Frank Milby won seven of 12 races on Saturday evening, proving why he holds the top spot in the driver standings.

Blue Boy won the third race, a non-winners pace, in 1:54.4 by six lengths. The three-year-old Real Artist gelding, trained by ‘Bib’ Roberts, was extremely impressive on the front end.

Milby came back in the fifth race with Paradusho N, an 11-year-old veteran mare by Road Machine. Trained by George Bartlett, the mare paced first-over to win in 1:55.4.

In the sixth race, Allamerican Solo was best in 1:56.0 on the pace. The trainee of Ron MacArthur, a three-year-old Western Hanover gelding, came second-over to secure the lead before the three-quarter pole.

Milby continued to dominate the track in the seventh race, driving Mister Bruinski to a win in 1:57.3 on the pace. Roger Hans trains the five-year-old Glowing Tribute gelding.

In the eighth, Bootmaker scored a four-length win in 1:54.4. The five-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding, trained by George Bartlett, paced confidently off of the gate from post seven for a wire-to-wire trip.

Milby took the last two races; the 11th featured Man He Can Go, a five-year-old Masterman gelding trained by Brian Callahan. The gelding paced gate to wire in 1:55.3, winning by just over a length. In the 12th race, Country Rogue N stayed on the front, winning by a neck in 1:57.0 on the pace. Shawn Hanley trains the nine-year-old Falcon Seelster gelding.

-Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway

FT. WASHINGTON, MD – Driver Kelly Staten guided Nicoles Scooter [$13.80, $11.00, $4.00] to the winner’s circle in the $4,200 featured distaff pace at Rosecroft Raceway on Friday, winning by a length and three quarters in 1:55.3.

Leaving the gate from the rail position, the four-year-old Real Artist mare sat fourth through an opening quarter of 27.3. Staten took the mare out first-over in a confident bid, pacing through middle fractions of 57.2 and 1:26.0. Owned and trained by Gerald Kelly, Nicoles Scooter fended off the betting favorite in the stretch to reward her fans at the windows.

Dig Alittle Deeper [$3.40, $3.20], the even-money choice by post time, finished second after cutting the early portion of the mile. With Frank Milby at her lines, the four-year-old daughter of Nuclear High held on with a 30.0 last quarter. Roger Hans trains for owner Tom Cooke.

Third in the $59.40 trifecta were You Diehl [$3.00] and driver Eddie Dennis. Co-owned by Richard Smith and trainer Ron MacArthur, the five-year-old Western Ideal mare came from several lengths off of the pace to hit the board.

Driver John Wagner took five of 11 races on Friday night, showing that he is still one of the best on the Maryland circuit. In the second race, Modern Marvel trotted wire-to-wire in 1:57.1 to win by a neck for trainer Manley Brown Jr. Wagner owns the six-year-old Self Possessed gelding.

The third race featured Winning Women, a sophomore Riverboat King filly owned by Pamela Wagner. After being more than 11 lengths off of the leader at the first quarter, Winning Women scored a length victory in 2:00.1 on the pace.

Deere Callie won by half a length on the trot in race seven despite breaking stride at the start of the mile. Owned by Lloyd Gilmour, the three-year-old Emile Angus filly recovered well to make up around seven lengths through the back half of the mile.

It’s The Law went gate-to-wire in the ninth race, pacing to a two-and-a-half length win in 1:59.0. Owned and trained by Gerald Kelly, the three-year-old Western Hero colt was the betting choice and closed the deal with a 29.2 final quarter.

In the 11^th event, Our Rotten Ruby won by half a length on the pace in 1:57.2. The seven-year-old Doctor Of Style mare, owned by Michael Ternisky, gained the lead after an opening quarter of 29.0.

-Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway

FT. WASHINGTON, MD – As the even-money choice by post time, Goodbye Daddy [$4.20, $2.80, $2.10] trotted gate-to-wire in the $4,200 Winner’s Over event at Rosecroft Raceway on Friday night, scoring his first victory of the season.

Driven by owner Frank Milby, Goodbye Daddy took the lead off of the gate, trotting through fractions of 28.1, 59.2 and 1:29.0 to win in 1:58.1. Don Milby trains the six-year-old Master Lavec gelding, which has banked around $122,000 lifetime to date.

Four Starz Eye Van [$3.60, $2.60], parked to the quarter after leaving the gate from post seven, finished second – only a length and a quarter off of the winner. Driven by Jonathan Roberts for owner-trainer Billy Hobbs, the five-year-old Yankee Glide horse trotted to the wire with a 29.1 last quarter.

Eagle Road [$3.00] closed out the $149.00 trifecta with Victor Kirby at his lines. Owned and trained by Andrew Markano, the five-year-old CR Commando gelding sat in the pocket for a perfect trip.

-Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway

FT. WASHINGTON, MD – Overlooked at 12/1 odds by post time, Armbro Ben [$26.40, $12.60, $5.00] earned a win in the $6,000 Open pace at Rosecroft Raceway on Saturday evening.

Driven by Corey Braden for trainer Mark Clark, the seven-year-old son of The Panderosa sat fifth along the rail through early quarters of 27.4 and 56.2. Braden tipped the horse out second-over behind Sonny (Kelly Staten) to hit the three-quarter pole in 1:25.0. Armbro Ben, racing for the Anne McDonald LLC 2, topped the field by a length and a half in 1:54.4.

Instigator [$6.60, $4.60] came off the pace as well to finish second with Jonathan Roberts in the sulky. The eight-year-old Presidential Ball gelding followed Armbro Ben to the wire with a 29.1 last quarter. The gelding races for the Graham Grace Stables LLC.

Third under the wire was morning line favorite Sonny [$2.40], driven by Kelly Staten. The five-year-old No Nukes gelding, trained by Stan Hathaway, Jr. for owner George LaGrutta, paced first-over to the wire to close out the $1,838.60 trifecta.

-Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway

FT. WASHINGTON, MD – Continuing her undefeated 2008 season, Art’s Pretty Lady [$5.20, $2.80, $113.00] scored her seventh consecutive triumph in the distaff Open pace for $6,000 at Rosecroft Raceway on Friday.

Driven by Frank Milby from post position four, Art’s Pretty Lady was parked through an opening quarter of 27.3. Taking the lead before the half in 56.2, the five-year-old Arturo mare paced confidently through a remaining fraction of 1:24.0 for a final time of 1:53.1. Connie Kamit trains the sharp mare for owners Susan Chytla and Nicholas Kamit.

After holding the lead to the first quarter, Drivin’ Miss Rudee [$4.00, $54.00] finished second with Donnie Russell in the sulky. The six-year-old Walton Hanover mare finished just over three lengths off of the winner for co-owners William Camp and John Sumner, who also trains.

Third under the wire were Double Flip [$30.40] and Corey Braden at 11/1 odds. The four-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover paced second-over to hit the board with a 28.4 last quarter. Manley Brown Jr. trains the mare for owners John Wagner and the Winbak Farm.

The trifecta paid $81.40.

-Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway

FT. WASHINGTON, MD – The $6,000 Open pace brought Mattjestic Art [$11.00, $4.60, $3.60] to the winner’s circle with a confident mile in 1:54.3 at Rosecroft Raceway on Saturday.

Racing for owner Marvin Callahan, the seven-year-old Artiscape gelding grabbed the lead off of the gate from post position six for an opening quarter of 28.0. With Frank Milby in the sulky, Mattjestic Art settled back into second behind Instigator (Jonathan Roberts) through middle fractions of 57.1 and 1:26.0 to win by a length with a last quarter of 28.1. Alvin Callahan trains the gelding, which has been consistent through his last several starts.

Holding the lead through the middle half of the mile, Instigator [$5.40, $2.60] finished second for the Graham Grace Stables LLC. Driven by Jonathan Roberts for trainer “Bib” Roberts, the eight-year-old Presidential Ball gelding was sharp through the race but was overtaken by Mattjestic Art during the last steps of the mile.

SA Monterosa [$7.00] finished third at 21/1 odds – the longest shot in the race. The seven-year-old gelded son of The Panderosa, driven by Alvin Lineweaver for the Swann connections, sat along the rail to save ground through the mile. The trifecta paid $381.80.

Frank Milby has earned top driver honors at Rosecroft Raceway, and continued his successful ways on Saturday evening by taking five horses to the winner’s circle.

Fuzzy Sylberun paced wire-to-wire in the first event, winning by over three lengths in 1:54.0. Brian Callahan trains the eight-year-old J B Stena gelding for himself and the Love Of My Life Stable.

In the second race, Perfect Magic was unbeatable on the front end, pacing to victory in 1:55.1. The five-year-old Bettor’s Delight horse races for owner Tom Cooke and trainer Roger Hans.

Mattjestic Art won the sixth race, while Milby piloted Blissfull Ball to the top in the 10^th race. The six-year-old Blissfull Hall gelding paced gate-to-wire in 1:55.3 for the Callahan connections.

In the 11^th race, a pace, Newfound Yankee won by a nose in 1:59.0 for owner Gary Botsch. David Kelly trains the seven-year-old Electric Yankee gelding.

-Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway