FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — After rallying from far back to narrowly miss last week, Layton Hanover sustained an extended first-over grind through the final lap of Monday's (Feb. 9) $12,000 Open Handicap Pace to score a narrow 1:52.3 victory.
(courtesy Erik Jones/Room 9 Photography): Layton Hanover emerged victorious in Monday's feature at Rosecroft Raceway, giving driver Roger Plante Jr. one of three wins on the card.
In line to Roger Plante Jr., Layton Hanover landed in fourth early as 1-2 favorite Spring Blake (driven by Russell Foster) pushed clear of Leonard's Legacy (Tim Deaton) at the end of a :27 quarter. Layton Hanover angled first-over with a lap to go and steadily ground forward to press middle fractions of :55.4 and 1:23.3. The pair dueled through the far turn and into the stretch, with Layton Hanover putting Spring Blake away with 40 yards to go and winning by a half length.
Sheer Terror (Jonathan Roberts) lifted off live second-over cover to finish in a dead heat for second with Spring Blake.
Andrew Fulton trains 25-time winner Layton Hanover, who paid $5 to win as the 3-2 second choice, for Tribbett Racing.
Plante led all drivers with three wins on the 13-race card, also winning with Levi At Play (1:54.3, $13.80) and Gandalf The Bay (1:53.4, $10.20).
Live harness racing returns to Rosecroft on Thursday (Feb. 12) with a 13-race program and a Jackpot Hi-5 carryover of $12,972.22. First post is 7:15 p.m. (EST).