Flo Jo surges late to capture Open Pace

FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — Flo Jo (Keystone Velocity) secured a pocket ride behind even-money favorite Phoenix Rising and sprinted up the open stretch to upend her for a 1:53 harness racing win in Thursday’s (Oct. 16) $12,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Rosecroft Raceway.

FLO JO REPLAY

Making her local debut off a pair of wins at Shenandoah Downs, Flo Jo and driver Lucas Myers strung Phoenix Rising (driven by Frank Milby) out to the apex of the first turn before yielding to the pocket to stalk splits of :26.1 and :55.4. Up the backstretch, Phoenix Rising was pressed to a :28 third quarter by the first-over Pasta Delight (Russell Foster) and did well to hold her ground in upper stretch, but Flo Jo took aim up the open stretch and collared Phoenix Rising with 50 yards to go en route to a one-length victory. Pasta Delight finished third.

Flo Jo, who paid $5.60 to win as the 9-5 second choice, is now a 25-time winner from 44 starts for owner/trainer/breeder Dale Witcher II.

Russell Foster led all drivers with five wins on the program, reeling off a natural grand slam with Little Judith (1:56.1, $3.80), Exquisite (1:57, $3.80), Chip of Evil (1:56.2, $2.60) and Rockin Remme (1:56.1, $6.00) in races 3 through 6 before taking race 10 with Sheishungry (1:56.1, $5.60).

Live harness racing at Rosecroft resumes Monday (Oct. 20); first post for the 13-race program is slated for 7:15 p.m. (EDT).

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

From Rosecroft Raceway