Trainer Trevor Stafford has big night

Posted 70 days

Trainer Trevor Stafford has huge night

                Trainer Trevor Stafford had seven starters at Rosecroft on Tuesday night and earned a check with all seven while grabbing three wins and a third. Art Stafford, Jr. drove the all the winners.

                The big night began in the opener when Matrix Hall, a classy veteran winner of $285,000 plus lifetime, charged up first over against SJ’s Warrior (Chris Offutt) and gamely prevailed in 1:59.4.  It was the nine year olds first win of the season for driver-trainer Art Stafford, Jr. and was the twenty-seventh win of Matrix Hall’s career.

                “Team Stafford” returned to the winner’s circle following the sixth race Private Interview, owned by Trevor Stafford, sat patiently in third during the opening half mile and pounced on a fully extended Chester Fitch (Frank Milby) near the three-quarter’s pole and drew clear for a season’s mark equaling 1:53.1. This was the second seasonal win for this six year old altered son of Real Artist.

                In the nightcap, Bigtown Hero was making his first pari-mutuel start for “Team Stafford” and showed fifteen breaks in his last four lines, although he stayed flat last time when qualifying. Bigtown Hero hit the ignition switch at the start and rolled through fractions of 27; 54.4;  and 1:22.1 which obliterated the competition. After a final quarter of 29.2 he just missed trying his lifetime mark scoring in 1:51.3 by open lengths. Three Large (Mark Gray) outslugged Fox Valley Curahee (Jonathan Roberts) to claim the place spot.

                Veteran John Wagner scored a driving double on the night winning with H Hall, a recent purchase, and Camifications. Both winners came from the Wagner Stable.

                Racing resumes at Rosecroft on Saturday evening with a first post of 7:25 pm.