Rosecroft: Coaches Corner looks for first stakes win of 2025 in Potomac Pace

The $125,000 Potomac Pace (race 11) at Rosecroft Raceway has hosted some of the best open pacers yearly in November, with recent winners Abuckabett Hanover (2024) and Bythemissal (2023) going on to Dan Patch divisional honors. While the presumptive king of the division for 2025 - Ervin Hanover - elected to skip the event, management has put together a strong field for the Sunday afternoon (2 P.M. EST) card.

This year's Potomac Pace likely goes through Breeders Crown runner-up Coaches Corner, who was second behind Ervin Hanover in the championship race last weekend. The 5-year-old from the Per Engblom barn has amassed an impressive bankroll of $455,695 despite failing to win a stakes race in 2025.

"Honestly last year he only won one [stake], but he was second in all of them," said Engblom. "He's just a good horse. He always shows up and does his best. Sometimes he doesn't get the vote of confidence that he deserves."

Coaches Corner has drawn the pole position for Sunday with regular driver Jason Bartlett in the bike, and Engblom sees that as a great spot for his speedy career millionaire.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

"He has the tactical speed to really be in the mix," said Engblom. "I'm not super familiar with Rosecroft. I haven't raced there in about 20 years, so I can't really say what is the best post, but with his speed it is never bad to be on the inside."

Last year's first- and second-place finishers in the Potomac are back for more, with Abuckabett Hanover (Todd McCarthy driving) trying to right the ship while going for the repeat from post five, and Ruthless Hanover (Tim Tetrick) looking for revenge as the speedster draws much better (post three) than last year (post eight).

Nijinsky (post six) could be an interesting player in the field. He was super when missing by just a neck in his Breeders Crown elimination but was unable to get involved from an outside post in the final. Dexter Dunn picks up the drive this week.

In addition to Ruthless Hanover, trainer Tom Cancelliere has a second entrant in Maximus Miki, but that one will start from the dreaded eight-hole and doesn't tend to show early speed.

Rounding out the field are Captain Luke (post two), Oakwood Ardan IR (post four) and Voukefalas (post seven).