Ft. Washington, MD — The sprint for the first turn can determine who wins and loses a lot of the time in harness racing. Get there first and you control the throttle for most of the mile or at minimum, end up in the pocket.

When there are three horses doing it, someone has to make a decision. Driver Russell Foster had too much momentum to duck in the three hole, and pressed on despite being parked three-wide to the opening quarter in :26.2. It was the right move as he kept Beach Blanket Book rolling to a 1:51.4 score in the $10,000 Open at Rosecroft on Sunday (Jan. 23).

The 5-year-old son of Sportswriter picked up his first win of 2022 and gave owner Peter Paul Venturini and trainer Brian Malone doubles on the night. Foster guided Examiner Hanover to a win in the opener for the same duo.

Jim Morand had three wins on the card, including sweeping the late Daily Double with Always A Shark for owner/trainer Kevin Altig and Dance On The Beach for owner/trainer Trevor Stafford. Morand also got a picture taken with Disturbia for owner Jody Cahall and netted Stafford a training double.

Frank Milby picked up his first two wins of the new year as he won with Spinout for Greg Trotto who trains for himself, Jon Reedy, Jeff Livingston and VIP Internet Stable. Milby also won wire-to-wire with Samcro for Frank Gannon III and Liz Gannon.

Trae Porter notched a pair of wins with Squeak On By for owner Christopher Sharpe and trainer Charlene Sharpe and Shim for owner/trainer Basil Sapienza.