Indiana Sired Lye Creek Betty favored in Rosecroft feature

Friday, March 02, 2007 - by Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Publicity Office

After a long-winded stint at The Meadowlands, 5-year-old Mark Johnathan mare Lye Creek Betty will return to Rosecroft Raceway to face a field of $6,000 Winners Over filly and mare pacers on Saturday, March 3.

Co-owned by William Shaw and trainer John Stubbs, Lye Creek Betty drew the rail in the competitive field of six pacers. Two starts back at The Meadowlands with Maryland native Jonathan Roberts in the bike, the mare paced three-wide to finish second by a head with a :27.4 final quarter. Last week, however, Lye Creek Betty was parked out the entire mile but managed to finish only five lengths off of the winner. Driver Corey Braden will be in the sulky for her first start back at Rosecroft this year.

Next in line at 3-1 odds is Drivin' Miss Rudee, the winner of two consecutive starts in this class at Rosecroft. The 5-year-old Walton Hanover mare shows tremendous gate speed and will have to utilize her talents from the outside post. Co-owned by William Camp, Jr. and trainer John Sumner, Drivin' Miss Rudee paced an easy mile in 1:57.4 last week to win by a half length over GH Shady Lady. Donnie Russell will again be in the sulky for the drive.

GH Shady Lady, from post position two, is the early third choice on the line at 4-1 odds. Owned and trained by Basil Sapienza, the 5-year-old daughter of Shady Character has been on the board in each of her last six starts at Rosecroft and holds a seasonal mark of 1:56.2.

In a well-matched field, Blissfully High (Brian Burton, 6-1), Gorgeous Lover (John Wagner, 9-2) and Realistic Ability (Chris Offutt, 9-2) round out the pacers.

Post time for Saturday's 13-race card is 7:20 p.m. at Rosecroft Raceway.

Source: USTA Web site (03-02-07)

3/4/07 Update: Lye Creek Betty 3rd in feature event.

Leaving from the rail, Lye Creek Betty got away in the three hole as the field reached the quarter in a speedy :26.4. She was then moved to the lead during a middle half breather (:58.4). Maintaining the lead until the stretch, she was soon collared by other mares in the field. Benefiting from better trips, they were able to outsprint her while heading to the wire. At the finish line, Lye Creek Betty was 3rd, charted as 5 lengths behind the winner. The final time of the race was 1:55.

Lye Creek Betty is currently owned by John Stubbs (Maryland) and William Shaw (Virginia). She is conditioned by Stubbs. Driver Corey Braden was in the sulky for this event. Her breeder is Walter McBee of Indiana.

Note: Mark Johnathan, sire of Lye Creek Betty, stands at Schwartz Boarding farm for the 2007 Breeding Season.
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