Fort Washington, MD — Layton Hanover brushed to the lead, rated easy middle fractions, and parried a sustained late challenge from Sheer Terror to post a 1:53.1 win in Monday’s (April 13) $12,000 Open Pace at Rosecroft Raceway.
Roger Plante Jr. angled Layton Hanover out from third at the end of a :27.2 first quarter to take aim at early pacesetter Playin For Real (driven by Justin Walters) and overtake him for the lead with a circuit to go. After strolling through middle splits of :56.4 and 1:24.4, the 7-year-old Captaintreacherous gelding faced a first-over challenge from Sheer Terror (Jonathan Roberts) through the far turn and into the homestretch. Layton Hanover responded to keep Sheer Terror three-quarters of a length at bay, sealing his third win of the season and the 26th of his career. R N B Band (Lucas Myers) followed live cover to finish third.
Layton Hanover, whom William Andrews trains for Tribbett Racing, paid $4 to win as the even-money favorite.
‘FEVER’ RAMPING UP: Reactor Now A became the only two-time winner in the Spring Fever Claiming Series, for $10,000 pacers, with his 4-length, 1:52.1 win over Poseidon Deo in the second round of the series. William Carter drove the 11-year-old Auckland Reactor N gelding, who paid $6 to win and was claimed out of the race by owner/trainer Dylan George, for trainer Billy Carter and owner Midsize Construction.
Capo Bovino (1:53.2, Justin Walters, $3.20) and Trey Rockette (1:54.4, Tim Deaton, $34.40) won the other divisions, and Brother Dick was the only other horse to be claimed, taken by trainer Bryson Dunning for owner P T Stable.
The third preliminary round of the Spring Fever Claiming Series will take place next Monday (April 20), with the top nine point earners to meet in the $11,000-added final on Monday, April 27.
‘GRAND’ NIGHT FOR CARTER: William Carter led all drivers with four wins on the 13-race card. In addition to Reactor Now A, the 21-year-old reinsman also reached the winner’s circle with Rock Smart (1:53.1, $6.20), Shim (1:53, $4.40) and Sudden Impact (1:52.1, $4).
Live harness racing returns to Rosecroft on Thursday (April 16); the 13-race card features a $12,000 Open Handicap Trot, carded as race 10, and a $6,792.21 carryover in the 50-cent Jackpot Hi-5, offered in race 13. First post is 7:15 p.m. (EDT).