Fort Washington, MD – Leonard’s Legacy got a perfect pocket trip from Trae Porter and pounced on the favorite Stag Party in the final 1/16th of a mile to secure the win in the $17,500 Open Thursday night (Feb. 23) at Rosecroft Raceway.

Leonard’s Legacy set a new mark of 1:51 Thursday night in winning the $17,500 Open at Rosecroft Raceway. Ted Black Photo.

In five starts this year at Rosecroft, the 6-year-old son of Tabago Cays, has won three times, and set a new mark last night of 1:51 for breeder/owner Leonard Hubbard and trainer Basil Sapienza, who harnessed three winners last night. It was one of two wins for Porter.

Shim won the $15,000 Open for Sapienza and driver Russell Foster, who weaved through the stretch like he was in an action movie, breaking the hearts of Art Nukem and Precision Blue Chip who waged a battle for almost 5/8th of a mile side-by-side.

As it looked like Art Nukem was going to win an epic battle, Shim, buried on the rail until the final turn, came storming by three wide like a freight train to win by a half-length in 1:52.1, for his first win of the year. It was one of three wins for Foster on the night.

Jonathan Roberts drove four winners, Corey Braden won twice, while trainers Michael Hall, Nola Leager, and Rogers Hans each won twice.