FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — Talk Show Chica took full advantage of a pocket trip behind 6-5 favorite Phoenix Rising and lunged up the open stretch to spring a mild 6-1 upset in Wednesday’s (March 12) $10,000 distaff pacing feature at Rosecroft Raceway.
 
Owner-driver Corey Braden left aggressively with Talk Show Chica, stringing out Phoenix Rising (driven by Frank Milby) on the first turn before yielding for a pocket trip through a :27 first quarter. The 8-year-old Heston Blue Chip-Notalkingback mare was content to stalk middle splits of :55.3 and 1:24.1 as Phoenix Rising faced intensifying first-over pressure from Dice Dice Baby (Roger Plante Jr.) approaching the far turn and a three-wide bid from Fancy Like That (Eric Davis) turning for home. While Phoenix Rising began to tire in the stretch, Talk Show Chica dove to the open stretch and lunged to collar the pace setter by a neck to win in 1:53.1. Dice Dice Baby stayed on for third, beaten three-quarters of a length.
 
Talk Show Chica returning to the winner’s enclosure after her 30th career victory, taken in Wednesday’s featured distaff pace at Rosecroft Raceway. (courtesy Erik Jones/Room 9 Photography)
 
Stacey McLenaghan trains Talk Show Chica, a 30-time winner who paid $14.40 to win. One race prior, McLenaghan teamed Scott Warnick trainee Lenda Hand Man to a 1:56.1 win in a $6,000 Mid-Atlantic Drivers’ Club pace.
 
The other event for amateur drivers on the 13-race card saw Matt Zuccarello score his 50th career victory, launching Steve Wetzel trainee Rocket Mac three-wide around stalled cover approaching the far turn before sprinting to a four-length, 1:54.3 win over Bourbons Courage.
 
Live racing returns to Rosecroft on Monday (March 17) with a $982.92 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5, offered in race 10. First post is 7:15 p.m. For free past performance pages and
The Players’ Guide tip sheet, visit
www.rosecroft.com.
