Elite group to battle in $125,000 Potomac Pace

FORT WASHINGTON, MD – Allywag Stable’s Allywag Hanover (Captaintreacherous) will reunite with archrival Tattoo Artist (He’s Watching) Thursday night (Nov. 9) at Rosecroft Raceway, where two of North America’s most celebrated aged harness racing pacers will face off for a rematch in the $125,000 Potomac Pace Invitational.

It took a world record for Allywag Hanover to defeat favored Tattoo Artist by a length last year in Rosecroft’s marquee race, turning in the fastest mile ever paced over a five-eighths of a mile track with a 1:46.4 clocking.

Allywag Hanover, who has won 27 races and more than $2 million in purses, will attempt to halt a rare four-race losing streak in the Potomac Pace, in which he finished second as the beaten favorite in 2021.

“I trained him [Friday] and he was actually perfect. I can’t say that every time I sit behind him,” trainer Brett Pelling said. “He’s doing well. He’s happy. He’s healthy.”

Regular driver Todd McCarthy will return with Allywag Hanover, who drew the No. 4 post position in a field of eight.

Let It Ride Stables Inc., US Bottom Line Racing LLC and Frank Cannon’s Tattoo Artist enters the Potomac Pace as the beaten favorite in the Oct. 28 Breeders’ Crown Open, in which he finished third. The 6-year-old drew the rail post position.

Tattoo Artist had a seven-win streak broken in the Breeders’ Crown, won by Bythemissal, who is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Erik Good, Rich Lombardo Racing LLC and Weaver Bruscemi.

Bythemissal (Downbytheseaside) enters Rosecroft Raceway’s marquee race on a three-race winning streak, including a length decision over Allywag Hanover in the Oct. 21 Breeders’ Crown Open elimination and a 1 ½-length triumph in the Oct. 28 Breeders’ Crown Open at Hoosier Park.

In the Breeders’ Crown Open, Bythemissal defeated five rivals he is scheduled to face in the Potomac Pace – Lou’s Pearlman (2nd), Tattoo Artist (3rd), Allywag Hanover (4th), Abuckabett Hanover (5th), and Linedrive Hanover (7).

“He’s probably as sharp as he’s ever been right now,” said trainer Ron Burke, who will also be represented in the Potomac Pace field by Lou’s Pearlman, who was beaten by his stablemate by 1 ½ lengths while finishing second in the Breeders’ Crown. “Everything seems to be really good for him right now.”

Regular driver Yannick Gingras and Bythemissal will leave from the No. 7 post position sulky Thursday night.

The Potomac Pace field and drivers in post-position order: Tattoo Artist (Louis Roy), Linedrive Hanover (Scott Zeron), Leonidas A. (Austin Siegelman), Allywag Hanover (Todd McCarthy), Abuckabett Hanover (Dexter Dunn), Lou’s P Pearlman (Tim Tetrick), Bythemissal (Yannick Gingras) and Idealsomemagic A (Jordan Stratton).

For the race entries, click here: US Trotting entries.

by David Joseph, for Rosecroft Raceway