Ft. Washington, MD — Breeding is often used by shrewd handicappers to deduce winning edges. The most perceptive Maryland racing fan could have used that angle Tuesday night (March 26) at Rosecroft.

Rivers, a 5-year-old altered son of Anders Bluestone, won the $11,000 Open at Trot Rosecroft for driver Frank Milby in 1:55.3. In 2012, Rivers’ dam, Stargazer Lilly, was the trotter of the meet in the spring. On Tuesday night, the son looked just like momma.

After finishing third in last week’s Open, Rivers secured a solid spot third on the rail from post eight in the early going. As the leader College Tuition approached the three-quarter mark, Milby tipped his horse to the outside and wore down the leader and held off a fast closing Crossfit Mouse and pocket sitter Funnyfunnyriddle to win.

Shaun Callahan trains for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi.

It was one of of two wins on the card for Milby who also won with Lake Erie Lou for trainer Frank Gannon III, and owners Liz Gannon and Susan Clark.

Johnathan Ahle had three wins on the card, while Jonathan Roberts and Roger Plante had two each.

Rosecroft and the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association, which represents horsemen in the state of Maryland, presented Newton “Yogi” Sheridan an award for being the top amateur driver in 2023. Sheridan won 55 times with a UDR of .294 and has been a regular participant in the Mid Atlantic Amateur Drivers Club in Maryland at Rosecroft and Ocean Downs.

Sheridan swept both divisions on Tuesday night with Fred’s Night for Humpback Hill Farm and trainer Salvatore Sciarrino and Freddie Faves for trainer Steve Wetzel.

The Jackpot Hi-5 carryover for race 10 on Thursday stands at $29,926.60.