Ft. Washington, MD —
Outside of the equine talent and the horsemen who prepare them, the most important person on Thursday night (Jan. 18) at Rosecroft was Track Superintendent Dan Herbst and his hard working crew. The Mid Atlantic has been saturated over the past couple of weeks by rain and snow and the Rosecroft surface was lightning fast on opening night.
Jonathan Roberts won four times on Thursday night while Johnathan Ahle won three times, including the $12,000 Open I with Around Midnight in 1:51.1. Michael Hall trains the 4-year-old son of Sweet Lou for William and Sarah MacMillan.
Ahle made a sweep of the Opens as he took the $10,000 Open II event with Ideal Star N for owner Christopher Zollo and trainer Joseph Karrat in 1:51.4.
Ahle started his driving triple with a win aboard Anarchy Hanover for owner Eric Foster Jr. and trainer Eric Foster.
Roberts won twice for his dad, owner/trainer Bib Roberts, as he guided Danger Zone and Rocktavious to wins, the former also owned by Hunter N Colton LLC.
Roberts took the opener with Your Brother for the McMillans, Christopher Devine and trainer Hall. He won the finale with Better Than Some, as he was better than them all for owner Scott Rubman and trainer Crissy Crissman-Bier.
Russell Foster produced a driving double, winning with No Better Joy that he owns with wife Megan, and Lyons Music, a recent $40,000 claim for owner Rodney Long and trainer Greg Trotto.
William Carter posted a double, winning with world record holder Caviart Camden, still the fastest 2-year-old pacing colt of all time in 1:48.3. The son of Huntsville raced only 13 times in 2023, winning once, but was given a perfect drive by the 19-year old Carter Thursday night, blasting off cover and closing in :27.2 to win in 1:52.1. Maria Alvarez trains for Friendship Stables LLC.
Carter also netted a big pay day for bettors, winning race 13 with Try Line for owner/trainer Basil Sapienza, returning $49.60 to win.
