Last to first for Slick Tony at Rosecroft

A terrific rally from last gave Slick Tony the harness racing victory in the Sunday night $12,500 Open Handicap at Rosecroft Raceway.

Driver Matthew Athearn and Slick Tony did not panic as they were sixth and last through a :54 half cut by eventual third place finisher Can’t Beach That.

Athearn then followed Dirt On My Boots who went on the attack first over and Athearn got the drafting help he needed to launch off the final turn and edge out the pocket sitting Precision Bluechip in 1:51.

It was the second straight win for the 23-year old Athearn aboard Slick Tony who won for the 55th time in his career. The homebred of the Leager Family, owned and trained by Nola Leager, went over $900,000 in career earnings.

Jonathan Roberts took the co-featured $11,000 winners over with Transparency for owner Tom Cooke and trainer Roger Hans in 1:53.1.

Drivers John Wagner and Jason Thompson each won three times on the card, all providing value. Wagner won with Seize Control ($28.00) for Carolin Oglesby and Patty Moyher, Nvrfearlloydishere ($12.80) and Hunt You Down ($21.60) for Gary and Samantha Crescenze.

Thompson rallied a tote board bulging $68.40 winner as Brian Tomlinson’s Taragon outfinished Rusty’s Houdini by about two inches at the wire in a close photo finish. Russell Foster swept the last double to run his meet leading total to 44 while Roberts has 40 and Wagner is third with 31.