by Pete Medhurst, for Rosecroft Raceway

Ft. Washington, MD — Jet Blue Miracle rallied from sixth for a win in the $12,000 Open Handicap as driver Sean Bier scored three wins on the Tuesday night (March 29) card at Rosecroft Raceway.

Bier stayed patient as Contraband Hanover (Jonathan Roberts) cut torrid fractions of :25.3, :54.3, and 1:23.3. Bier remained on the pylons while the outer flow was scattered by a parked-out Hot Art who stopped heading to the three-quarter pole, opening up room for Bier to fan three-wide and blast home in 1:51.4. Contraband Hanover held gamely for second while pocket sitter Arpeggio Hanover (Pat Berry) was third.

It was the second win in eight starts for the 6-year old son of Jereme’s Jet and tied a lifetime best for owner R.J. Thomas and trainer Joe Columbo.

Bier won the seventh race with Concert Artist and the ninth race with Opinion Hanover, giving Columbo a training double.

Roberts scored with Rocktavious, an impressive 3-year old son of Rocknroll Hanover, who has won three straight. Roberts, who also won three races on the night, gave a perfect second-over trip to the gelding for trainer Megan Roberts, who also had a double on the night. Rocktavious stopped the timer in 1:53.3, edging pacesetter Hickory Aloha (Chris Offut). Roberts also picked up victories with Caviart Tyler and Redneck Fortune.

After the first month of the meet, Russell Foster leads the dash standings with 13 wins, while Berry and Roberts are right behind with 12.