Phoenix Rising and Coventry Hall took decidedly different paths to victory in their respective $15,000 Open Handicap events, but both braved rainy conditions and sloppy going to post mild upsets on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Rosecroft Raceway.

In the Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace, Phoenix Rising and driver Frank Milby used two moves to seat 1-5 favourite Lofty Treasure in the pocket with a circuit to go. Once in control, the four-year-old Movie Idol-Scarlet Pandemic mare travelled unopposed and beat Lofty Treasure (Trae Porter) by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:52.3, equalling her lifetime mark. Dice Dice Baby (Roger Plante Jr.) finished third after an unsuccessful first-over bid.

Phoenix Rising, who paid $8.60 to win, is owned in partnership by trainer Franklin Gannon III and Elizabeth Gannon.

Buoyed by a $25,138 carryover and a mandatory payout, the Jackpot Hi-5, which was offered on the Fillies and Mares Open, attracted more than $60,000 in "new money." The winning combination of 8-6-2-1-5 returned $287.40 on a 50-cent ticket.

In the Open Handicap Trot, Coventry Hall and Trae Porter rode the pocket behind 2-1 choice College Tuition before emerging in upper stretch, taking the lead from the tiring pacesetter, and evading a stand-side rally from Black Hope (Johnathan Ahle) by 1-3/4 lengths to win in 1:54.3. Craft Made (Jonathan Roberts) finished third.

Michael Hall, who took top training honours through the 26-night fall meet with 50 wins, conditions the seven-year-old Cash Hall-Canland Hall gelding for owners William and Sarah MacMillan. Coventry Hall paid $7.80 to win.

On the strength of four wins on the Monday, Dec. 16 program, Russell Foster sealed the fall driving title with a single win on the closing card, besting runner-up Johnathan Ahle, 44-42. Jonathan Roberts finished third with 41 wins.

Ammo and JL Cruze were named the meet's top pacer and trotter, respectively.

The 2025 winter-spring meet at Rosecroft is slated to commence Monday, Jan. 20.

(Rosecroft Raceway; Photo of Coventry Hall winning on Dec. 18)