by Pete Medhurst, for Rosecroft Raceway

Ft. Washington, MD — Russell Foster and Kiss A Dragon uncorked a breathtaking rally from seventh in the final quarter to nip pacesetting Hickory Aloha (Tim Offutt) to win the featured $8,500 Winners Over Pace Sunday night (Nov. 19) at Rosecroft Raceway.

On a cold, blustery night with a one second allowance, Foster seemed hopelessly locked at the back of the pack, but came flying off the final banked turn to win by the slimmest of margins in 1:53.1, last quarter in :28 into a 25-mph head wind. Foster owns and trains the 5-year old Dragon Again gelding.

Foster, Jonathan Roberts and John Mackinnon had driving doubles on the night. Trainer Ken Schlotzhauer had three wins on the card.

Three Maryland Sires Stake preliminaries were held before the betting card and next week’s final for 2-year-old fillies promises to be a terrific race.

Miss Choptank and Victor Kirby wore down HS Shauna (Roger Plante) with a strong first over attack to win in 1:55.1. The daughter of Total Truth is owned by Legacy Racing of Delaware and Stephen Townsend and trained by Wayne Givens.

“What she lacks in gate speed, she loves it out there first over and she just goes. She’s got a chance to be a real nice filly,” Kirby said.

Princess Rusty won the second division for Roberts, cutting the mile in 1:56.4.

Two-year-old trotting track record holder What That Is raced from behind and was impressive, getting to leader Iron Mine Bro (Art Stafford) in the stretch for the win in 1:58.1. Judge Bob (Roberts) was third.

Rosecroft will race live, Friday-Sunday, post time all three days is 6:40 p.m.