Foster, Plante Jr., Share Rosecroft Driving Title

Burton Takes Trainer’s Crown

First Rosecroft Titles for Plante Jr., & Burton

Expanded Schedule for 2017

FORT WASHINGTON, MD - Rosecroft’s Fall Meet, highlighted by the inaugural Potomac Pace, came to a conclusion Thursday evening with drivers Russell Foster and Roger Plante Jr., sharing in the driving title and Brian Burton taking the training crown.

For Plante Jr., the driver’s title was his first at Rosecroft.

“It’s great,” Plante Jr., said. “It’s a lot of hard work and just the right horses. You appreciate the good horses you drive. It’s a big plus. Diamondkeeper is just a great horse, week after week. The Sire Stakes were a lot of fun, too. We were lucky to win a few of them.”

For Foster, it was his second consecutive title at Rosecroft. He shared leading driving honors in the spring with Jonathan Roberts. “It means the world,” said Foster, who heads to Dover before returning to Rosecroft in March.

Burton’s first training title at Rosecroft was special for the Maryland native.

“We worked hard all week to make it happen,” Burton said. “Winning the first race [with Real Passing Lady] was like hitting a home run. It’s all a collective effort.”

Burton said he’s optimistic about the future of Maryland’s Standardbred industry. The Stronach Group, parent company of the Maryland Jockey Club which purchased Rosecroft over the summer, plans on extending Rosecroft’s race days from two to three days a week next year.

“I think you will see better horses going three days a week,” he said. “I think you will see horsemen invest in better horses as well.”

Rosecroft’s fall meet featured the inaugural running of the $100,000 Potomac Pace, a race won by All Bets Off that also featured Shamballa, Mach It So, Wakizashi Hanover and Keystone Victory. It was the first race of significance at Rosecroft in nearly 10 years.

“Our first meet at Rosecroft was extremely gratifying,” said Sal Sinatra, President and General Manager of The Maryland Jockey Club. “We were pleased with the response to the Potomac Pace and we’re extremely happy with the support from horseman to the Potomac Pace and also our program. Our fans have provided us some wonderful feedback on how to improve our product and our facility. We’re looking forward to expanding our schedule and continue improving the customer experience at Rosecroft.”