FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — After forcing 2-5 favorite Phoenix Rising through a :26.1 first quarter, Michael Somerville’s homebred Dice Dice Baby parlayed a pocket trip into a 7-1 upset in Wednesday’s (Feb. 5) $11,500 Mares Open Handicap Pace at Rosecroft Raceway.
 
Dice Dice Baby and Roger Plante Jr. strung Phoenix Rising (driven by Frank Milby) out through a protracted first-quarter duel before yielding to the pocket with just over a circuit to go. After Phoenix Rising cleared and rated middle splits of :55.4 and 1:25, she parried a first-over challenge from Bluebird Ina (William Carter) on the final turn, but Dice Dice Baby emerged from the pocket in upper stretch and engulfed the softened Phoenix Rising to win in 1:53.4. Lights Out rallied up the open stretch to finish second, a half length back; Phoenix Rising held for third.
 
William Cox trains 17-time winner Dice Dice Baby, a 7-year-old Rockincam-Miss Reba mare, who paid $16.80 to win.
 
In the $10,000 top-level trot, Eric Foster’s homebred College Tuition and driver Russell Foster traveled uncontested through splits of :27.4, :57.1 and 1:25.4 before edging 2-1/4 lengths clear of Spy Booth to win in 1:54.2. Courtney Foster trains the 7-year-old Donato Hanover-Stirling Charisma gelding, who paid $3.80 to win.
 
Trainer Basil Sapienza scored a hat trick on the program, sending Sheishungry ($4.20, 1:54), Bluffs Crush ($4.60, 1:55.2) and Hungry Lady ($7.20, 1:54.2) to victory.
 
Live racing returns to Rosecroft on Monday (Feb. 10) with a Jackpot Hi-5 carryover of $568.83 and first post slated for 7:15 p.m. (EST).
