Rosecroft Raceway has a 13-race card with the feature coming in Race 11, the Potomac Pace Invitational with a $125,000 purse. It has a solid field of 8 older pacers as 7 of the veterans saw action on Breeders Crown night. The Potomac Pace is the signature event at the "Raceway by the Beltway."

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 11-Potomac Pace Invitational-Purse $125,000 (5:20 PM EDT)

1-Coaches Corner (7/2)-The Per Engblom trainee has a grabbed my attention in big races this year. The veteran always competes and that includes times when the post draws have been bad. Jason Bartlett has had a great year, and it is well deserved. Drawing the rail here is not a disadvantage but to protect it in the early going may drain its tank a bit. This is a major player and will be used on my exacta tickets.

2-Captian Luke (8-1)-The Andrew Harris trainee is more of a big track horse and does have good speed. If the pace falls apart Dan Dube could be rolling late to pick up the pieces. But doesn't have the early speed of others and could be too far back at the top of the stretch.

3-Ruthless Hanover (10-1)-The 2024 runner-up gets a chance to cash the top check with this post draw. Last year, left from the 8-hole into opening fractions of 25.4 and 54.1, which probably cost the win. Did get the top but Abuckabett came out of the pocket to win. There is big gate speed in this contest, and this horse may have the best early speed. That was on display in an Invite on BC Day, but couldn't seal the deal on the engine after fractions of 26.1-53.4-120.2. Driver Tim Tetrick could take a picture with the Tom Cancelliere price shot if he provides a sharp steer. This will be my exacta key, and hopefully the 10-1 morning line holds up.

4-Oakwood Ardan IR (5-1)-This 6-year-old is similar to Captain Luke but has one of the best small track drivers in Jordan Stratton at the controls. This is the 3rd start off the bench and would need big improvement to hit the board in its RcR debut.

5-Abuckabett Hanover (12-1)-No disrespect meant to the 2024 Pace winner but cashing the top check this time does not appear realistic. What a difference a year makes but Father Time always wins, it's just a matter of when. This season, beating Open class horses has happened for the 7-year-old but the water seems too deep here in its current form.

6-Nijinsky (5/2)-Drew the 8-hole in the BC Final, and was too far back early on. The half went in 53.4 and the Anthony Beaton pupil rolled the back half in .52 and could only manage a 5th place finish. Dexter Dunn gets the nod tonight, and he has options, as the 4-year-old has good tactical speed. This is another who will be used in my exactas. Makes its 1st start at RcR and will rely on there not being any issues with the turns.

7-Voukefalas (15-1)-The good news is the meets leading driver, Russell Foster will be at the controls but that is where the good new ends. Post 7 is a killer and not sure there will be a way for the Lazarus 5-year-old to get into striking range to win. But those playing gimmicks may want to consider using at the bottom of Tri's and Superfectas.

8-Maximus Miki (3-1)-Miki showed up in a big way this year when the large money was on the line. The veteran wouldn't be my 2nd morning line favorite, but deserves respect. Does know how to win (14-5-2-2) in 2025 having banked over $543,00 and that leads the field. If the fractions are sizzling Scott Zeron could roll by foes down the lane.

$10 Win-3 Total Bet=$10
$10 Exacta 3/1,6 Total Bet=$20
$6 Exacta 1,6/3 Total Bet=$12
$4 Exacta 1,3,6/8 Total Bet=$12

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