Eric Foster's homebred College Tuition made every call a winning one in the $$16,667 Open Handicap Trot at Rosecroft Raceway on Wednesday, April 23, evading Dover Downs invader Rivers to win in a lifetime best-equalling 1:52.4, the fastest trotting mile of the meet.
In line to Johnathan Ahle and sent off the 6-5 favourite, College Tuition used his customary gate speed to clear Timestorm (Corey Braden) and Spy Booth (Jonathan Roberts) through a :27 first quarter. He then travelled unopposed through middle splits of :56 and 1:23.3 before gradually widening his lead to three lengths at the top of the homestretch. The seven-year-old Donato Hanover-Stirling Charisma gelding was geared down in the final sixteenth and kept Rivers (Frank Milby), who circled three-wide around the stalled cover of Spy Booth on the far turn, 1-1/4 lengths at bay. Victor Laszlo (Eric Davis) likewise closed belatedly to finish third.
Courtney Foster trains 22-time career winner College Tuition, who paid $4.60 to win in his third successful outing from nine starts this year.
In the co-featured $14,584 Winners Over distaff pace, Cindy Jo and driver Russell Foster controlled a :26.3 first quarter before yielding for a pocket ride behind 1-5 favourite Square Deal (Roberts) and rallying up the open stretch to prevail by a half length in 1:51 for trainer Walter Bozman Jr. and owners Deborah and Jamie Bozman. The five-year-old Stay Hungry-Musicale Hanover mare, now a 12-time career winner, paid $8.60 to win while recording her first victory of the season in six starts.
Trainer/driver Alexandra Goldin celebrated her 34th birthday with a sweep of the program's two Mid-Atlantic Drivers Club paces, piloting Katherine Love's Cheyenne Ryan Lee (1:57.1, $3) and her own Never Easy Z Tam (1:54.4, $8.80) to victory in their respective events.
Live harness racing returns to Rosecroft on Monday, April 28. The card will feature a Jackpot Hi-5 carryover of $1,190.56. First post is 7:15 p.m.
(With files from Rosecroft Raceway; photo of College Tuition winning at Oak Grove last year)