by Mike Wandishin, for Rosecroft Raceway

Fort Washington, MD — On a beautiful late spring Saturday evening Rosecroft Raceway had its second highest handle since the “Rosecroft Renaissance” began. Throughout the thirteen race card awards were presented to the stars and leaders of the meet, while leading driver Justin Vincent met and greeted the fans while signing a poster of himself and the meet’s leading horses.

The day began with three qualifiers and five baby races which gave those on hand a good look at some of trainers Joe Offutt and John Wagner’s youngsters. Nuclear Attraction, a 2-year-old Nuclear Breeze gelding was probably the most impressive of the day tossing out a 58.1 back half in route to a 2:00.2 victory. Timmy Offutt drove the winner for trainer Joe Offutt. Joe owns this promising youngster along with Mel Kauffman and Samuel Stoltzfus. Wagner won three of the five baby races. Not to be overlooked was the Leon Harris trained and Scott Warnick owned, Beep Beep Bye Bye, who made it two wins in three starts in the Baby Race ranks.

Then it was on to the closing night action. Tony Morgan, one of harness racing’s all-time leading drivers made his presence felt driving four winners on the night. For those that think it’s hard to find value betting on a smaller track, only one of these winners was the race favorite.

Justin Vincent had a busy night himself, having no drives in the first three races Justin went into the clubhouse and met the Rosecroft faithful while signing posters of the Rosecroft Spring meet leaders. After that he headed to the paddock, changed into his colors and proceeded to win three races on the night. One of those winners, Tags To Riches, exploded the tote board paying $34.20 to win and triggered an exacta of $728, a triple of almost $2,000 and a superfecta of almost $3,000.

Kim Vincent, Justin’s father, posted a driving double on the night and won the night’s fastest race with the quickly improving Michael’s Dream for owner-trainer James Whalen, Jr.

Chris Offutt, taking advantage of having picked up five drives on the night had a great night with two winners and a second.

As for the awards, Stargazer Lily was named the Trotter of the Meet. This one had eight starts, three wins, two second and two thirds, only missing the ticket once for owner trainer Frank Miller of Still Pond, Md.

The Claimer of the Meet was the Greg Trotto trained Lyons Frank who started eight times, winning five in a row and closing his meet out with a place finish. Trotto owns this one with Fred Sporrer.

The Conditioned Horse of the Meet was El Cumanchero. This one was owned-trained and reined by Steven Warrington. In eight starts he had four wins and two show finishes. In perhaps the upset of the spring meet he beat Meadowlands shipper I Wanna Go Fast who showed getting checks in the Presidential and Four Leaf Clover series at the Meadowlands.

Veteran trainer Joe Offutt caught fire about mid-way through the meet and drew clear in the final week to be leading trainer. Ken Schlotzhauer, John Wagner and Freddy Collazo completed the top four trainers.

Justin Vincent made a shambles of the driving race, but veteran Donnie Russell had an impressive meet with to claim second place. Justin Brenneman had his best meet to date and checked in third. Wayne Long and Kim Vincent were tied for fourth in the leading driver chase.