First starter takes Rosecroft for 1:52.2

Real Tough took the $122,170 Wayne Smullin Memorial for two-year-old pacers in impressive fashion on a relatively chilly summer evening, Saturday at Rosecroft.  This 1:52.2 win was in the first lifetime start for the Real Artist colt; he had won his two qualifiers on August 3 and August 9 in 1:56.2 and 1:54.3 respectively.

Getting away fifth, driver Bradley Hanners pulled Real Tough first over after the :56 half.  Parked through the turn, he exploded down the stretch under urging and was able to hold off the hard coming Badlands Nitro.

Owned and trained by Trevor Warwick of Delaware and Peter George of Australia, this first starter went off at 7-1.  Finishing second, third and fourth was the George Teague-trained entry of Badlands Nitro (Wayne Long), The Iceman Came (Jim Morand) and Idle Hour (Dave Palone).

Real Tough paid $21.20, $3.40 and $3.40 on-track and $17.40, $2.80 and $2.80 off-track, as Rosecroft reduces the on-track commission on live racing for the Saturdays in August.

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