Ft. Washington, MD — A breathtaking three-wide brush from seventh to first allowed Romantic Interest and Frank Milby to win the $11,750 Maryland Exclusive Open Handicap on Sunday night (Oct. 6) at Rosecroft Raceway.

Sent off at odds of 5-2, the 4-year old Always A Virgin offspring was about a length off the gate at the start and after the first quarter of :26.2 popped up on leader Allie’s Finale, Milby launched and went by JW Renegade who had already committed first over and had the lead before a half-mile in :55.

A :27.2 sprint in the third quarter held off the challenge from JW Renegade and pocket sitter Allie’s Finale had nothing for the winner who stopped the timer in 1:50.3. It was the fifth win of the year and a new lifetime mark for Romantic Interest who is owned by Candy Milby.

Milby drove two winners on the card, the other coming with 15-1 shot Windsun Cobra who saved ground and snuck up the pylons to nip favored Don Dorado and Missus Mia Wallace. Windsun Cobra entered 0-27 in 2019 and 1-58 over the past two seasons. Brian Hoskins owns the 8-year-old Kadabra gelding for trainer Jonathan Nikodemski.

Jonathan Roberts had three driving wins on the card. The first came in the opener as an anticipated match-up of full brothers never materialized when Fashion Winner broke just after the start, clearing the way for older brother Fashion Smile ($3.60) to roll to another $10,000 Rosecroft Open Trot win in 1:56. Dreamfair Bogart was second and Fair Glider and Puddin N Pie finished in a dead heat for show. William De Lodovico owns the 36-time winner for trainer Megan Roberts.

Roberts pulled off the stunner of the night as Macho McGraw nailed 2-5 favorite Toms Titan in the final strides to win at 24-1 odds. The 10-year-old son of Neutralize pulled from the pocket to the right of Toms Titan who threw his head roughly to the left twice in the shadows of the wire which was enough for the longest shot on the board to win for owners Zach and Dawn Amiss and trainer Shaun Callahan.

Roberts completed the comeback with claiming king Foxland as the 12-year-old won his third $7,500 claimer in succession, using a three-wide brush to reel in pacesetter Drive ‘Em Cowboy and hold off claiming newcomer Smart Rokker in 1:53 for co-owner Chris Devine and co-owner/trainer Jason Walters. It was his eighth win of the year and career win number 55.

Allan Davis’ strong start to the meet continued as he had three wins on the night. Davis steered Majestos ($11.40) to a second straight win for new owner-trainer Jason Bowers and Paul Stansbury in 1:55.2. Hurricane Beach ($6.20) scored wire-to-wire for Davis and the Claim To Fame LLC and trainer Michael Hall. Hurricane Beach was a $230,000 yearling purchase at Lexington and now five, the son of Somebeachsomewhere won for the 11th time in 66 starts. Beammeupscottie gave Davis his 14th win on the meet in the finale as he nailed pacesetter Jack Quick in 1:53.2. It was a season’s best seventh win for the son of Rustler Hanover who picked up career win 33 for owner-trainer Brian Callahan.

Russell Foster gave Dirt On My Boots his first career win in the 3-year-old debut for the homebred of Paul Reid and Alvin Stafford in 1:56.4. Jody Dunning conditions the son of Tobago Cays who came from way back and caught pacesetter Captain Cal by 1-1/4 lengths. Foster gave Bowers and Stansbury a second win on the night as Attention Please ($7.00) rallied from the back to beat upset minded Little Power in 1:54.2.