Judge Bob strikes the gavel in Open Trot

Judge Bob has won 35 lifetime races. 22 of those harness racing wins have come at Rosecroft Raceway, none more thrilling than Wednesday night’s score in the $12,500 Open Handicap Trot.

Driver Jonathan Roberts, who has won eight races on the last two Rosecroft cards, sent the seven-year-old son of Great George Two hard off the gate to secure a pocket trip behind front runner Yall Beneath Me and Russell Foster. That move forced last week’s winner, Northern Express to take a tuck fifth and cost Wings Of Speed who got parked the mile.

As Yall Beneath Me set the pace to the tune :26.2, 55.2, 1:24.1, Judge Bob sat behind the leader as Wings Of Speed stayed just off his flank until the 3/4 mark, and Northern Express then attacked three wide. Roberts angled out instead of choosing the passing lane and had just enough to nail the leader at the wire, just missing the track record by 1/5th of a second on 1:53.1.

Judge Bob is owned by trainer Megan Roberts and the Graham Grace Stables and has now been in the money in 76% of his 67 Rosecroft starts in his career.

In the co-featured $12,500 Mares pacing handicap, Pass Line Blue Chip, also used a pocket trip to secure a victory in 1:53. Driver Ricky Still put the daughter of Bettors Delight on the engine briefly from post eight, but yielded to the eventual throttle controller, Need Ur Opinion.

As they entered the stretch, Still pulled the left line into the passing lane and held off a game Moments Of Joy who was parked the mile from post nine, and won a four horse photo for place. Chris Scicluna owns and trains the seven year old who picked up career win number 22 in 128 lifetime journeys.

Roberts won three times, Jared Moyer won three of the first four races last night while dash leader Russell Foster won twice. Trainer John Wagner had two wins.

For complete results, click here.

by Pete Medhurst, for Rosecroft Raceway