In advance of the 2026 spring equinox and with many regions observing a Spring Break, Spring Blake posted a repeat win in the Open Pace at Rosecroft Raceway on Wednesday, March 18 as the Maryland oval's 2026 winter-spring meet reached its midway point.

In Wednesday's $16,438 Open Handicap Pace, Spring Blake and driver Russell Foster used two moves to reach the lead, ducking into third as Lous Starr (driven by Corey Braden) drilled a :26.2 first quarter before brushing at the bell to control middle fractions of :54.1 and 1:22.3 before powering two lengths clear of Lous Starr for a seasonal-best 1:50.2 score. J M Mandamin (Frank Milby) was third.

Johnny Crites Jr. owns and trains Spring Blake, a five-year-old Courtly Choice-Spring Break ridgling who paid $4.40 to win as the 6-5 favorite.

Thursday's card featured a $13,699 upper-level conditioned trot saw Deadline Hall and driver Jonathan Roberts push clear of Judge Bob (Eric Davis) following a :27.1 first quarter and control the terms from there, rating middle splits of :57 and 1:26.2 before evading a late bid from runner-up K J The Thirteenth (Justin Vincent) by two lengths in 1:55.1. Judge Bob finished third.

Trainer Michael Hall co-owns Deadline Hall, a six-year-old Muscle Mass-Daylon Mystique gelding who paid $2.40 to win as the 1-5 public choice, with Manklin Creek LLC.

Roberts led all drivers with four wins on Thursday's 13-race program.

Members of the Mid-Atlantic Drivers Club contributed their five per cent driving commissions from their three races on Thursday to a fund established for Hayden Myers, the son of driver Hunter Myers, who a year ago died at the age of 27 from injuries sustained in a racing accident at The Meadows.

Live harness racing returns to Rosecroft on Monday (March 23); the carryover in the 50-cent Jackpot Hi-5 currently stands at $43,579.03. First post for the 13-race program is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. (EDT).

(with files from Rosecroft)