FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — Despite needing two moves to secure the lead in the first seven-sixteenths of the mile, Don’tmesswithles proved decisive in scoring his second consecutive top-level win at Rosecroft Raceway in Monday’s (March 17) $10,500 winners-pover pacing feature.
 
In line to Roger Plante Jr. and sent off the 3-5 favorite, Don’tmesswithles powered clear of 40-1 long shot Racer Pacer (driven by Lucas Myers) through a :26.1 first quarter before briefly yielding control to Horse (William Carter) with a circuit to go. No sooner than Horse cleared to the pegs was Plante back on the move with Don’tmesswithles and back in control at the end of a :55.1 half.
 
The 6-year-old Captaintreacherous-JK Letitgo gelding never relinquished the lead from that point, parrying a first-over try from Doubleornothing N (Hugh O’Neil) up the backstretch before edging clear off the home turn to evade a late inside rally from Shim (Jonathan Roberts) by 2-1/4 lengths to win in 1:51.3. Horse held third from the pocket.
 
Howard Birney trains 15-time winner Don’tmesswithles, who paid $3.40 to win, for Walter Birney Jr.
 
The feature win capped a triple for Plante, who shared top driving honors on the 13-race card with Jonathan Roberts.
 
Live racing returns to Rosecroft on Wednesday (March 19) with a 13-race card featuring a $12,000 Open Handicap Trot, carded as the opener, and a $1,628.38 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5, offered in race 10. First post is 7:15 p.m. (EDT).
 
Don’tmesswithles withstood his share of challenges to prevail as the 3-5 favorite in Monday’s pacing feature at Rosecroft, giving driver Roger Plante Jr. one of his three wins on the program. (courtesy Erik Jones/Room 9 Photography)
