Layton Hanover brushed to the lead, rated easy middle fractions and parried a sustained late challenge from Sheer Terror to post a 1:53.1 win in the $16,667 Open Pace at Rosecroft Raceway on Monday, April 13.
Driver Roger Plante Jr. angled Layton Hanover out from third at the end of a :27.2 first quarter to take aim at early pacesetter Playin For Real (Justin Walters) and overtake him for the lead with a circuit to go. After strolling through middle splits of :56.4 and 1:24.4, the seven-year-old Captaintreacherous-Livin Life gelding faced a first-over challenge from Sheer Terror (Jonathan Roberts) through the far turn and into the homestretch. Layton Hanover responded to keep Sheer Terror three-quarters of a length at bay, sealing his third win of the season and the 26th of his career. R N B Band (Lucas Myers) followed live cover to finish third.
Layton Hanover, whom William Andrews trains for Tribbett Racing of Denton, Maryland, paid $4 to win as the even-money favourite in his 12th start this year.
Reactor Now A became the only two-time winner in the Spring Fever Claiming Series, for $13,889 claiming pacers, with his four-length, 1:52.1 win over Poseidon Deo in the second round of the series. William Carter drove the 11-year-old Auckland Reactor N-Whos Sorry Now gelding for trainer Billy Carter and owner Midsize Construction of Smyrna, Delaware. Reactor Now A paid $6 to win and was claimed out of the race by owner/trainer Dylan George.
In the other divisions, Capo Bovino (Justin Walters) was a 1:53.2 winner and Trey Rockette (Tim Deaton) upset in 1:54.4. Brother Dick, who finished a nose behind Trey Rockette, was the only other horse to be claimed, taken by trainer Bryson Dunning for owner P T Stable.
The third preliminary round of the Spring Fever Claiming Series will take place next Monday, April 20, with the top nine point earners to meet in the $11,000 USD (added) final on Monday, April 27.
William Carter led all drivers with four wins on the 13-race card. In addition to Reactor Now A, the 21-year-old reinsman also reached the winner's circle with Rock Smart, Shim and Sudden Impact.
Live harness racing returns to Rosecroft on Thursday, April 16. The 13-race card features a $12,000 USD Open Handicap Trot, carded as race 10, and there will be a $6,792.21 carryover in the 50-cent Jackpot Hi-5, offered in race 13. First post is 7:15 p.m.
(With files from Rosecroft Raceway; photo of Layton Hanover from a previous win)