Phoenix Rising back on top at Rosecroft

FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — After ending up a beaten harness racing favorite in her previous two starts, Phoenix Rising (Movie Idol) returned to the Rosecroft Raceway winner’s enclosure on Wednesday (March 5) after posting a three-length score in the featured $10,000 winners-over distaff pace.

In line to Frank Milby, the 5-year-old Movie Idol-Scarlet Pandemic mare sprinted to the early lead before briefly yielding control to Dice Dice Baby (driven by Roger Plante Jr.) after a spritely :26.2 opening quarter. Almost as soon as Dice Dice Baby cleared, Phoenix Rising popped out of the pocket to reclaim command, and she controlled middle splits of :55.4 and 1:24.4 before edging away in the stretch to win in 1:53 over a track rated wet-fast. Kix Hanover (Russell Foster) sustained uncovered gains up the backstretch and through the far turn to collar Dice Dice Baby for second.

PHOENIX RISING REPLAY

Trainer Franklin Gannon III co-owns 19-time winner Phoenix Rising, who paid $2.80 to win as the 2-5 public choice, with Elizabeth Cannon.

Jonathan Roberts led all drivers with three wins on the 12-race card; Alexandra Goldin led all trainers with a double.

Live racing returns to Rosecroft on Monday (March 10); first post is 7:15 p.m. (EDT).

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

From Rosecroft Raceway