Roberts trains Open Trot and Pace winners

Harness racing trainer Megan Roberts always has a bright grin when she enters the winners circle, looking to catch one of her horses, after all, who isn’t excited about winning a race? Winning is hard in any competition, but winning the Open Trotting and Pacing Handicap in the same week, that’s a great week.

Sunday night at Rosecroft Raceway, Rocktavius roared out of the pocket and went by stablemate, Starship, to produce a 1:51.1 win in the $10,000 Open Handicap for pacers.

It was the sixth win of the year for the eight year old son of Rocknroll Hanover, and his 43rd lifetime win. For Roberts, it was her tenth win of the meet as she had a training double on the night, tying her with Michael Hall for top honors during the fall meet so far at Rosecroft.

Driver Jason Thompson sent Rocktavius from post eight to the front in :26.3, at that point Starship and Jonathan Roberts moved to the top through fractions of :55.2, 1:22:4 and as they turned for home, it was apparent that the winner had plenty in reserve and rolled through the passing lane to victory.

Starship held second over a fast closing Shim (Russell Foster) and Dirt On My Boots was fourth in the pari-mutuel debut for 18-year old driver Bryson Dunning.

It gave Megan Roberts a sweep of the weekly features, as Judge Bob took the Open Trot Wednesday night, and it made Rocktavius a three time winner at the fall meet in five starts for Owner Bib Roberts.

Roger Plante teamed up with trainer Steve LeBlanc and owner Robert Cacamese for a Daily Double sweep as Far Better and Intelligent AM won the first two races.

Foster had three wins on the card, while Roberts had two. Foster won with a horse to watch, Ilderton AM who set a new lifetime mark of 1:51.4 giving him is second straight win in his new barn, recently acquired by Seth Hamelman for trainer Jason Walters.

Barton Dalious also scored an upper level conditioned win with Volleyball Beach who won in 1:51.4, giving him his eighth win of the year for owner Cole Olsen and trainer Darren Olsen.

For full race results, click here.

by Pete Medhurst, for Rosecroft Raceway