Don’tmesswithles goes back to back

FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — Despite needing two moves to secure the lead in the first seven-sixteenths of the mile, Don’tmesswithles (Captaintreacherous) proved decisive in scoring his second consecutive top-level harness racing 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.

DON’TMESSWITHLES REPLAY

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).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

From Rosecroft Raceway