Rosecroft has become a launching pad for young harness racing drivers to get their career underway in recent years.
The latest rising talent is 20-year-old Trae Porter. Last night, he won four races on the Sunday night card.
Porter won 31 times in 414 starts in 2021 at Rosecroft and recently won a race with Doctor Butch at the Meadowlands. Luke Hanners, another who got a lot of sulky time at Rosecroft has found some success on the NY-NJ circuit of late as well.
Porter opened the card with a win aboard Dragon Strikes in his first start for Calvin Hoover in the Wayne Long barn. He also finished first with Squeak On By and Classic, giving Chris and Charlene Sharp an owning and training double as well as Derby Dog Hanover who won his seasonal debut for trainer McKenzie Kiel and Kristen Ramsey.
Beach Blanket Book won the Maryland Exclusive Open for the second straight week, scoring from post three, winning in 1:50.4 Jonathan Roberts drove the winner for trainer Brian Malone and owner Peter Venturini.
Dirt On My Boots and 18-year-old Bryson Dunning won the $11,000 Open in 1:51.4 for owner-breeders Paul Reid and Alvin Stafford and trainer Jody Dunning. The youthful Dunning has now won three times aboard the son of Tobaygo Cays in eight drives since November 6, 2021.
For full race results, click here.
by Pete Medhurst, for Rosecroft Raceway