Fort Washington, MD – Huntress and Rivers – two horses who won top-level events at Harrington Raceway in their most recent starts – made their treks across the Chesapeake Bay worthwhile by posting wins in their respective $12,000 Open Handicap events on Thursday (Oct. 2) at Rosecroft Raceway.
The Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace saw Manklin Creek LLC’s Huntress and driver Russell Foster duel clear of Square Deal (driven by Declan Donoway) through a :26 first quarter, rate middle splits of :54.3 and 1:23, and keep the first-over Ragtime Red (Trae Porter) a length at bay to win in a seasonal best 1:50.3. Square Deal finished third.
Huntress, a 6-year-old Huntsville-Love And Honor mare, is now a perfect three-for-three for trainer Eric Ell and has won 46 times in her career. She paid $4 to win as the joint even-money favorite.
In the Open Handicap Trot, Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi’s Rivers and driver Frank Milby floated forward from post eight to stalk Rosecroft mainstays College Tuition (Jared Moyer) and JL Cruze (Roger Plante Jr.) through a :56.4 first half, made a first-over push up the backstretch, and overpowered a tiring College Tuition off the home turn en route to a 2-1/4-length, 1:54 win. JL Cruze made a mild move off the turn to save second; Greenspan (William Carter) rallied belated for third.
Shaun Callahan trains Rivers, a 6-year-old Anders Bluestone-Stargazer Lily gelding. The 19-time winner paid $10.40 to win as the 4-1 second choice.
Foster and Plante led all drivers with three wins apiece on the 13-race card.
Harness racing at Rosecroft resumes Monday (Oct. 6) with a quartet of $95,000 Maryland Sire Stakes championship events for 2-year-olds heading the bill. The final for rookie trotting fillies is scheduled as a non-wagering event to go off at 6:50 p.m. (EDT); the other three finals are part of a 13-race pari-mutuel card slated to begin at 7:15 p.m.