by Pete Medhurst, for Rosecroft Raceway
Ft. Washington, MD — Kiss A Dragon had been the favorite in all three of his 2018 starts at Rosecroft, but he was the only horse in a field of seven that did not have a win on the season in Sunday night’s (March 18) $10,000 Open Handicap.
Driven by owner-trainer Russell Foster, the 6-year-old altered son of Dragon Again sat third over during a :27.1 third quarter as Baby Kitty pressured pacesetter Rocktavious. In a dramatic stretch drive, Foster fanned Kiss A Dragon five-wide and edged his cover, Rock N Roll Jet (Kim Vincent), in 1:51.2, last quarter :27.2. Hickory Aloha (Timmy Offutt) was third. Five horses finished within a length and a quarter of each other.
John Wagner won three races on Sunday night, Speed It ($2.80), Cinderlane Quin ($30.20) and Bieber Hanover ($6.80). The wins by Speed It and Bieber Hanover resulted in a training double for Arlene Cameron.
Foster picked up a second win, one of two for 13-year-olds on the card, as Real Tough took the $7,500-$10,000 claiming handicap for owner-trainer Lauren Allen.
In the very next race, Intheblinkofaneye came from way back to score in 1:51.2. Jonathan Roberts had the lines for his sister, owner-trainer Megan Roberts. Roberts also had an eye catching upset with Rosebud Dr Evil, who paid $134.80.
Arpeggio Hanover won the $5,000 claimer for a second straight week for driver Eddie Davis Jr., trainer/co-owner Eric Davis and co-owner Christina Del Pozzo. It was the 25th win for the son of Dragon Again in career start 199. He was claimed by Carolyn Boyce for trainer Brian Malone.