Phoenix Rising rebounds with upset victory

FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — After only mustering minor placings in Open events in her first two starts of the fall harness racing meeting, Phoenix Rising (Movie Idol) found her way back to victory in Thursday’s (Oct. 9) $9,000 distaff pacing feature at Rosecroft Raceway.

PHOENIX RISING REPLAY

In line to Frank Milby, Phoenix Rising worked clear from post 8 to control a :26.2 first quarter. After rating middle splits of :55.2 and 1:23.3, the 5-year-old Movie Idol-Scarlet Pandemic mare parried a late challenge from pocket rival Dice Dice Baby (driven by Roger Plante Jr.) by three-quarters of a length to win in 1:52.1. Awesome Hill (Russell Foster) finished third, another 1-1/4 lengths behind, after stalking the top pair throughout.

Trainer Franklin Gannon III co-owns 25-time winner Phoenix Rising, who paid $10.80 to win as the 4-1 third choice, with Elizabeth Gannon.

Phoenix Rising also keyed a winning Jackpot Hi-5 combination of 8-5-1-4-2 that returned $8,328.95.

In the sub-featured $8,500 conditioned pace for fillies and mares, 18-year-old Ryder Skinner scored his first-ever driving win when he rallied Ideal Out off cover to a 1:53.4 win for his dad, trainer Jason Skinner.

Live racing at Rosecroft resumes Monday (Oct. 13); first post is 7:15 p.m. (EDT).

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

From Rosecroft Raceway