Roberts, Ahle dominate Rosecroft opening night

Outside of the equine talent and the harness racing horsemen who prepare them, the most important person on Thursday night (Jan. 18) was Rosecroft Track Superintendent Dan Herbst and his hard-working crew.

The Mid Atlantic has been saturated over the past couple of weeks by rain and snow and the Rosecroft surface was lightning fast on opening night.

Jonathan Roberts won four times on Thursday night while Johnathan Ahle won three times, including the $12,000 Open I with Around Midnight (Sweet Lou) in 1:51.1. Michael Hall trains the four year old for William and Sarah McMillan.

Ahle made is a sweep of the Open’s as he took the $10,000 Open II event with Ideal Star N (American Ideal) for Christopher Zollo and trainer Joseph Karrat in 1:51.4. Ahle started his driving triple with a win aboard Anarchy Hanover (Badlands Hanover) for Eric Foster Jr., and trainer Eric Foster.

Roberts won twice for his dad, Bib Roberts, as he guided Danger Zone (Captaintreacherous) and Rocktavious to wins, the former also owned by Hunter and Colton LLC.

Roberts took the opener with Your Brother (So Surreal) for the McMillan’s, Christopher Devine and Hall. He won the finale with Better Than Some (Betterthancheddar), as he was better than them all for owner Scott Rubman and trainer Crissy Crissman-Bier.

Russell Foster produced a driving double, winning with No Better Joy (Betterthancheddar) that he owns with wife Megan, and Lyons Music (A Rocknroll Dance), a recent $40,000 claim for Rodney Long and trainer Greg Trotto.

William Carter posted a double, winning with World Record holder Caviart Camden (Huntsville), still the fastest two-year-old colt of all time in 1:48.3. He raced only 13 times in 2023, winning once, but was given a perfect drive by the 19-year-old Carter Thursday night, blasting off cover. closing in :27.2 to win in 1:52.4. Maria Alvarez trains for Friendship Stables LLC. Carter also netted a big pay day for bettors winning race 13 with Try Line for Basil Sapienza, returning $49.60.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Pete Medhurst, for Rosecroft Raceway