Don’tmesswithles reels in favorite to win

FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — Walter Birney Jr.’s Don’tmesswithles (Captaintreacherous) used a sustained uncovered grind through the final five-sixteenths of a 1:50 mile to reel in 6-5 favorite Sheer Terror in Sunday afternoon’s (May 11) $12,000 Open Handicap Pace at Rosecroft Raceway, scoring his sixth win of the season in the act.

In line to Roger Plante Jr., Don’tmesswithles strode to the lead from post five before yielding to the tandem of Native’s Filou (driven by William Carter) and Sheer Terror (Jonathan Roberts) through a sharp :26.1 quarter.

After being relegated to third as Sheer Terror cleared for control with a circuit to go, Don’tmesswithles stalked a :54.1 half before angling first-over before the 1:21.4 three-quarter juncture but failed to make headway on the far turn.

Cornering for home, Don’tmesswithles made markedly better inroads, and the 6-year-old Captaintreacherous-JK Letitgo gelding lifted to collar Sheer Terror in the final yards and prevail by a neck. Native’s Filou was a one-paced third from the pocket.

Howard Birney trains 17-time winner Don’tmesswithles, who paid $5.60 to win as the 9-5 second choice.

DON’TMESSWITHLES REPLAY

 

Plante and Jared Moyer shared top driving honors on the 13-race card with three wins apiece.

Live racing returns to Rosecroft on Wednesday (May 14) with four $95,000 Maryland Sire Stakes championships for 3-year-olds taking center stage. On the wagering front, there will be two carryovers: $862.28 in the Pick-5 (races 3-7) and $6,390.87 in the Jackpot Hi-5 (race 10). The Maryland Sire Stakes 3-year-old male trot is scheduled as a non-wagering race due off at 6:45 p.m. (EDT); the 13-race pari-mutuel card will begin at 7:15 p.m.

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

From Rosecroft Raceway