‘Robro’ dictates Rosecroft open trot; ‘Raider’ impressive in distaff pace
FT. WASHINGTON, MD – Four Starz Robro [$4.40, $3.20, $2.10] went gate-to-wire in the $6,000 Open Trot at Rosecroft Raceway on Friday as the even-money choice for owner Kelley Rogers.
Rated perfectly through the mile by driver Corey Braden, the six-year-old Conway Hall horse led the field through quarters of 28.3, 58.3 and 1:28.2 to win by a neck in 1:57.3. Trained by Judy Welty, the sharp horse notched his first victory of 2008 after coming off of a winning qualifier. Four Starz Robro upped his lifetime earnings to over $237,000 with this win.
Chippewa Warrior [$11.60, $4.00] finished second as one of the longest shots in the race at 16/1 odds. The eight-year-old Veeba Rova gelding, driven by Frank Milby, sat in third along the rail before gaining ground in the stretch with a 28.3 last quarter. Roger Hans trains the gelding for owner Tom Cooke.
Celtic Hall [$2.60] finished third with trainer Donnie Russell in the bike. The seven-year-old Garland Lobell gelding, co-owned by Russell and Edward Needle, worked out a pocket trip to hit the board in the $99.80 trifecta.
Gen-U-Wine Raider [$16.80, $7.60, $3.20] paced first-over to victory in the $6,000 Open event for fillies and mares on Friday, winning in a swift 1:54.3 for the Swann connections.
Driven by Kelly Staten from post position five, the seven-year-old daughter of Keystone Raider sat contently in third through opening fractions of 26.0 and 55.1. Staten took the mare out before the three-quarter pole in 1:24.1 to outdrive the competition. The mare, trained by Thomas Swann for owners Julie and Lois, won by half of a length at 7/1 odds.
Sweet Noc [$9.20, 6.60], overlooked at 12/1 odds, finished second after making up nearly seven lengths through the back half of the mile. Driven aggressively by Frank Milby for trainer Gregg White, the six-year-old J B Stena mare closed down the stretch in 29.3. Jamie Morgan owns the mare.
High Speed Racer [$2.20] was third after following Gen-U-Wine Raider with a second-over trip. Guided by driver Corey Braden through the mile, the four-year-old daughter of Nuclear High finished a length and a half behind the winner. Roger Hans trains the mare for owner Tom Cooke.
The trifecta paid $419.00.