Fort Washington, MD – Eric Foster’s homebred College Tuition set sprightly fractions before holding off a two-pronged stretch challenge to post a 1:53.2 repeat victory in Thursday’s (April 23) $12,000 Open Handicap Trot at Rosecroft Raceway.
Sent off the even-money favorite from post 6, College Tuition and driver Russell Foster used :26.4 first-quarter speed to sprint clear of Inferno DK (driven by Roger Plante Jr.) while 6-5 second choice Deadline Hall stalked from third. College Tuition traveled unopposed through middle splits of :56.2 and 1:24.3. After opening up a 2-3/4-length advantage approaching the far turn, Inferno DK worked to close the pocket back up and Deadline Hall angled off the pegs nearing the top of the homestretch, and both foes took aim at College Tuition in the final 150 yards. The 8-year-old Donato Hanover-Stirling Charisma gelding held both challengers at bay, prevailing by a half-length for his 30th career win. Inferno DK narrowly finished second over Deadline Hall.
Courtney Foster trains College Tuition, who paid $4.20 to win.
HERE’S TO YOU, MR. ROBINSON: Eugene Robinson scored an owning, training and driving double after capturing two of the card’s three Mid-Atlantic Drivers Club events. He used a first-over trip to take the first with Northern Network ($7.60), who held off runner-up Redding Hanover to win by a half-length in 1:56.1, and he took advantage of a pressured pace in front of him to rally M S Ingeneious ($12.40) to a three-quarter-length, 1:54.3 score over pacesetter Swift Operator in the second.
NEWS AND NOTES: Foster, Plante, Corey Braden and Trae Porter all scored driving doubles, as well; Stacey McLenaghan joined Robinson with a training double. Multiple players had the winning 2-4-1-3-7 combination in the 50-cent Jackpot Hi-5, good for a $261.10 dividend. The carryover to Monday’s (April 27) card stands at $11,513.82. … Monday’s 13-race program features the $16,800 Spring Fever Claiming Series final, for pacers who started for a $10,000 tag in all three preliminary legs, along with a $12,000 Open Handicap Pace. First post is 7:15 p.m. (EDT).