by Pete Medhurst, for Rosecroft Raceway

Ft. Washington, MD — Breeding horses is not an exact science. Who knew when Richard Hans started breeding trotting mares to pacer Cam’s Rocket, champion trotters would start coming with yearly regularity.

What That Is became the latest Cam’s Rocket star as he is now the fastest 2-year-old trotter in Maryland Sires Stakes history, winning the $48,900 final in 1:55.2 on Sunday (Nov. 26) at Rosecroft Raceway.

Brian Emerson owns the trotter who has now won six straight and two finals in a row to increase his seasonal earnings to $64,674. Emerson’s mother, Judy Welty, trains the winner while Brian Burton has handled the lines all season.

Iron Mine Bro (Art Stafford Jr.) was second and No Drama De Vie (Frank Milby) was third.

Allie’s Finale won the $43,300 2-year-old male pacing final, winning despite post eight for driver Roger Plante and trainer Steve LeBlanc. The son of Allie’s Western has now won seven of 10 on the year and $59,932 for Leblanc Racing, Count De Money Stable, William Lutz Jr. and James Stuart. Toms Tyrannosaurus (Stafford) was second, and Bo Breeze (Corey Callahan) was third.

In the $45,900 freshman pacing filly final, Jonathan Roberts gave Princess Rusty a perfect second over drive to stun favorite Miss Choptank (Victor Kirby) at 12-1 in 1:54.3. Miss Choptank challenged October final winner HS Shauna (Roger Plante Jr.) first over down the backside towing the eventual winner to victory. Al Carter owns the daughter of Rusty’s For Real who is trained by Michael Hall.

There always seems to be an upset with young trotters and again, like October, it came in the filly trotting division. The ultra talented Gaagaa Gone has only lost twice in 10 starts this year. Both have come in the finals at Rosecroft as she made a break at the start. This time the beneficiary was Iron Mine Krystal who stormed home to claim the $41,600 race for Stafford and trainer Greg Haverstick. The daughter of Four Starz Robro is owned by Iron Mine Branch LLC. Maryann’s A Player (Russell Foster) was second while Callahan rallied Gaagaa Gone for third in 1:57.4.

Over the final five races, Milby picked up two wins, while Roberts added another for a driving double.