FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — After holding her ground in a three-mare battle for early control and facing sustained pressure from 6-5 favorite Phoenix Rising through the far turn, Talk Show Chica had enough left to repel a late challenge from Fancy Like That and score a 15-1 upset in Wednesday’s (Feb. 26) featured event at Rosecroft, a $10,000 winners-over distaff pace.
 
Owner-driver Corey Braden pushed forward with Talk Show Chica from the start to park Dice Dice Baby (driven by Roger Plante Jr.) and Phoenix Rising (Frank Milby) through a :26.3 opening quarter. The 8-year-old Heston Blue Chip-Notalkingback mare turned aside Dice Dice Baby’s challenge before facing a second threat from Phoenix Rising, who pulled up the backstretch after a three-hole tuck, and was headed by that rival just past three-quarters in 1:25.3. Talk Show Chica battled back to reclaim the lead and then prepared to parry a third rival as Fancy Like That (Eric Davis) boldly circled three-wide from last through the far turn but came up 1-1/2 lengths short of Talk Show Chica’s winning 1:54.4 mile. Phoenix Rising saved third.
 
Talk Show Chica scored a 15-1 upset in Wednesday’s featured distaff pace at Rosecroft Raceway, capping a double for owner-driver Corey Braden. (courtesy Erik Jones/Room 9 Photography)
 
Stacey McLenaghan trains Talk Show Chica, who paid $32.40 to win. Braden and McLenaghan also teamed up to win with Throw The Play ($4.20), who rallied off stalled cover for a 1:54.1 win in a $7,000 mares conditioned pace.
 
Roger Plante Jr. led all drivers with three wins on the 12-race card.
 
Live racing returns to Rosecroft on Monday (March 3) with a $691.18 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 (race 10). First post is 7:15 p.m.
