Armbro Ben scores minor upset in Rosecroft Open
FT. WASHINGTON, MD – Overlooked at 12/1 odds by post time, Armbro Ben [$26.40, $12.60, $5.00] earned a win in the $6,000 Open pace at Rosecroft Raceway on Saturday evening.
Driven by Corey Braden for trainer Mark Clark, the seven-year-old son of The Panderosa sat fifth along the rail through early quarters of 27.4 and 56.2. Braden tipped the horse out second-over behind Sonny (Kelly Staten) to hit the three-quarter pole in 1:25.0. Armbro Ben, racing for the Anne McDonald LLC 2, topped the field by a length and a half in 1:54.4.
Instigator [$6.60, $4.60] came off the pace as well to finish second with Jonathan Roberts in the sulky. The eight-year-old Presidential Ball gelding followed Armbro Ben to the wire with a 29.1 last quarter. The gelding races for the Graham Grace Stables LLC.
Third under the wire was morning line favorite Sonny [$2.40], driven by Kelly Staten. The five-year-old No Nukes gelding, trained by Stan Hathaway, Jr. for owner George LaGrutta, paced first-over to the wire to close out the $1,838.60 trifecta.