'Phoenix' rises first-up to victory

FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — Out and moving with a circuit to go, Phoenix Rising (Movie Idol-Scarlet Pandemic) used an extended first-over grind to overpower early pacesetter Fancy Like That and surge powerfully to a lifetime-best 1:52.3 harness racing win in Wednesday’s (Dec. 4) $10,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Rosecroft Raceway.

Fancy Like That and driver Eric Davis sprinted clear of Bluebird Ina (driven by William Carter) to secure the top spot through a blistering :26 first quarter. Once in control, Fancy Like That baked the pace down dramatically, prompting Frank Milby to angle Phoenix Rising first-up from fourth with five-eighths of the mile remaining. The 4-year-old mare advanced steadily, took over from a tiring Fancy Like That with five-sixteenths to go, and drew clear to win by a widening 4-1/2 lengths. Bluebird Ina escaped a failing pocket on the final turn to save second; Talk Show Chica (Corey Braden) circled three-wide off the home turn to finish third over 2-1 favorite Villannah (Johnathan Ahle), who only mustered mild gains as the pace collapsed.