Driver Jonathan Roberts reached the 5,000-win milestone of his career on Monday, Feb. 16 at Rosecroft Raceway when he teamed Freaky Feet Beast to a 12-1 upset in the night's eighth race, a $10,274 conditioned claiming pace.

Roberts powered to the front from post nine with Freaky Feet Beast and controlled fractions of :27 and :56.3 before facing a stern first-over challenge from Playin For Real (Justin Walters) up the backstretch and through the far turn. After shrugging off Playin For Real upon turning for home, Freaky Feet Beast and Roberts dug in to stave off a ferocious late rally from 3-5 favourite Levi At Play (Roger Plante Jr.) to win by a diminishing neck in 1:54.4.

Roberts' father, William "Bib" Roberts, trains Freaky Feet Beast for Kiwi Stables — of whom Roberts is a partner — and Graham Grace Stables. The four-year-old Freaky Feet Pete-Keene Supreme gelding paid $26.20 to win.

Four races later, the 44-year-old Roberts came back to score his 5,001st win, doing so with Sheer Terror ($2.40) in 1:52.1 in a $12,329 top-level conditioned pace.

Despite being shuffled severely up the backstretch behind a plummeting Layton Hanover (Roger Plante Jr.), Johnny Crites Jr.'s five-year-old pacer Spring Blake came roaring back through the far turn to post a two-length, 1:53.1 win over Lyons Stealth (Billy Carter) and A Major Attitude (Justin Walters) in the $16,438 Open Handicap Pace and return $3.60 to win as the 4-5 favourite. The win was one of three on the card for driver Russell Foster, who also teamed Hippo Hanover ($6.80) and Sea Of Life ($23.20) to victory.

Multiple players had the winning Jackpot Hi-5 combination of 4-5-6-2-8, good for $725.10 on a 50-cent ticket. The carryover for Thursday's Hi-5 now stands at $17,278.92. 

Total all-sources handle for the 13-race card was $379,265 USD, the highest of the meet to date. 

Live harness racing returns to Rosecroft on Thursday. First post for the 13-race card is 7:15 p.m.

(Rosecroft Raceway)