Ft. Washington, MD — Rosecroft Raceway hosted eight Maryland Sire Stakes preliminaries for 3-year-olds on Sunday (April 28).

The four trotting preliminaries went as afternoon non-wagering events.

In the first division for trotting colts and geldings, reinsman Roger Plante Jr. sent Fire’n Woodshed (Lockkeeper) wire-to-wire in his sire stakes debut, stopping the clock in 1:55.4. Unraced at two, Fire’n Woodshed is now undefeated in three starts. Kerry Welty trains for owner-breeder Brian Emerson. Whoopdee Goo closed for second.

Mary’s A Keeper (Lockkeeper) with John Wagner in the bike lowered the stakes record to 1:55.4 for 3-year-old trotting fillies in the second non-wagering event. HS Judy Jetson closed to within a head of the leader for place. Arlene Cameron trains Mary’s A Keeper for owners and breeders John Wagner and Syl King Jr.

A third Lockkeeper offspring found his way to the winner’s circle when Russell Foster guided Mind Yown Business to a 1:58.3 victory in the second division for trotting colts and gelding, a half-length in front of Remarkable De Vie. Russell Foster is the owner and Megan Foster is the trainer.

The second split for trotting fillies saw driver Les Givens and Snazzy Jet (Lear Jetta) charge down the stretch to catch Pats A Keeper at the wire in 1:58.2. Nanticoke Racing is the owner and breeder of Snazzy Jet.

The first division for pacing fillies opened the pari-mutuel card. Longshot KJ Dr Michelle (Rusty’s All In) went from fourth on the outside at the three-quarter pole to win by a half-length over Rocket Rhonda in 1:56.2 paying $27.40. Jared Moyer was in the bike for trainer Arlene Cameron and owner-breeder Scott Woogen.

Officer Wholihan (Rusty’s For Real) took advantage of post one, going gate-to-wire in 1:53.3 in a race for pacing colts and geldings. Trump That Rusty was up for place. Sam Belote trains for owners Gloria and John S. Belote III. Bret Brittingham was the driver.

Kelseys On Cruze (Rusty’s All In) broke her maiden in race three, taking the second division for pacing fillies. Reinsman John Wagner sent Kelseys On Cruze to the top from post seven, holding off Alexis’ Fraternity in the 1:56.4 mile. Pam Wagner is the owner-breeder and Arlene Cameron is the trainer.

Pacing colts and geldings returned for race four, the final stake of the evening. Berzerker (Rusty’s For Real), with Tony Morgan in the bike, took control at the half and opened up 6-1/4 lengths on the field at the finish. Time for the mile was 1:55.2. Rusty’s Houdini closed from fifth at the three-quarter pole to finish second. The owners and breeders of the winner are Brandon, Clifton and Wanda Murray and Brandon is also the trainer.

Mckenry took the $11,000 Open Handicap for Bret Brittingham for the third time this month. Don Brittngham trains for Pete and Toni Gray. It gave Brittingham a driving double.

Tony Morgan won the $12,500 Maryland Open Handicap with Star Messenger for owner-trainer Gary Ewing. It was the fifth win of the season in 16 starts for the 8-year old son of Jereme’s Jet.

— Pete Medhurst also contributed to this report