FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — Don’tmesswithles made two early moves to secure control of the terms before coasting to a 4-1/4-length win in Monday’s (April 7) $10,500 winners-over pacing feature at Rosecroft Raceway.
 
In line to Roger Plante Jr., Don’tmesswithles strode forward from post six and split Racer Pacer (driven by Lucas Myers) and Horse (Billy Carter) to clear for the lead on the first turn before yielding control to Horse just after a :26.4 first quarter. Just as Horse cleared to the pegs with a circuit to go, Don’tmesswithles quickly emerged from the pocket and reclaimed control upon entering the clubhouse turn. After Don’tmesswithles rolled through a :55 half, Business Director (Russell Foster) began a first-over push out of fourth and worked to within a length of the lead up the backstretch before fading on the far turn. Don’tmesswithles held his ground past three-quarters in 1:22.4 and drew clear of his eight foes with plenty in reserve at the end of a 1:51.3 mile. Racer Pacer found room to angle off the pegs in upper stretch and was urged to narrowly collar a tiring Horse for second.
 
Don’tmesswithles proved dominant at odds-on in Monday’s top pacing event at Rosecroft Raceway. (courtesy Erik Jones/Room 9 Photography)
 
It was the fourth top-level win and fifth overall this season for Don’tmesswithles, who paid $2.60 to win. Howard Birney trains the 6-year-old Captaintreacherous gelding, now a 16-time winner with $153,035 in career earnings, for Walter Birney Jr.
 
Foster wins four: Russell Foster led all drivers with a grand slam on the 13-race card, driving his own Minotaur (1:54.3, $4.00) and Shethinksistilcare (1:52.2, $4.20) to victory in a pair of $7,500 conditioned paces while also winning with Herb (1:54.2, $5.60) and Might Be Right (1:53.4, $3.80).
 
Lenda Hand Man shocks at 59-1: Scott Warnick trainee Lenda Hand Man posted a major upset in the sub-featured $9,000 top-level conditioned pace, using a third-over trip and rallying around live cover from Starship to edge 6-5 favorite A Major Attitude to win by a head in 1:53.3 in line to Corey Braden. Lenda Hand Man, who paid $121.60 to win, spurred a Jackpot Hi-5 carryover of $10,932.63 to Wednesday (April 9) as no one selected the top five finishers.
 
Looking ahead: Wednesday’s 13-race card kicks off with a $12,000 Open Handicap Trot, featuring double millionaire JL Cruze; and a $10,500 winners-over distaff pace, which sees Phoenix Rising return to Rosecroft to take on eight rivals in the evening’s penultimate event. First post is 7:15 p.m. For free past performance pages, race replays, and The Players’ Guide tip sheet, visit www.rosecroft.com.
