Trainer Trevor Stafford had seven starters at Rosecroft on Tuesday night and earned a cheque with all seven while grabbing three wins and a third. Art Stafford Jr. drove the all the winners.
The big night began in the opener when Matrix Hall, a classy veteran winner of $285,000 plus lifetime, charged up first over against SJs Warrior (Chris Offutt) and gamely prevailed in 1:59.4. It was the nine-year-old's first win of the season for driver-trainer Art Stafford Jr. and was the 27th win of Matrix Hall’s career.
'Team Stafford' returned to the winner’s circle following the sixth race. Private Interview, owned by Trevor Stafford, sat patiently in third during the opening half mile and pounced on a fully extended Chester Fitch (Frank Milby) near the three-quarters pole and drew clear for a season’s mark equalling 1:53.1. This was the second seasonal win for the six-year-old altered son of Real Artist.
In the nightcap, Bigtown Hero was making his first pari-mutuel start for Team Stafford and showed 15 breaks in his last four lines, although he stayed flat last time when qualifying. Bigtown Hero hit the ignition switch at the start and rolled through fractions of :27, :54.4 and 1:22.1 which obliterated the competition. After a final quarter of :29.2 he just missed trying his lifetime mark scoring in 1:51.3 by open lengths. Three Large (Mark Gray) outslugged Fox Valley Curahee (Jonathan Roberts) to claim the place spot.
Veteran John Wagner scored a driving double on the night winning with H Hall, a recent purchase, and Camifications. Both winners came from the Wagner Stable.
Racing resumes at Rosecroft on Saturday evening with a first post of 7:25 p.m.
(Rosecroft)