Spring Blake overcame post eight and withstood a strong mid-race challenge en route to his third consecutive conquest of Maryland's best pacers, taking the $16,438 Open Handicap Pace in 1:51.1 at Rosecroft Raceway on Monday, Dec. 15.
Russell Foster sent Spring Blake forward to clear early pacesetter Rebellious (William Carter) just beyond a :26.3 first quarter. After pulling the half back to :55, Spring Blake faced a stern first-over bid from Reactor Now A (Billy Carter) up the backstretch but protected the lead through three-quarters in 1:22.4. The four-year-old Courtly Choice-Spring Break ridgling dismissed that challenge off the home turn and evaded Rebellious by 1-1/4 lengths to win for the third time in four local starts for owner/trainer Johnny Crites Jr. Precision Bluechip (Eric Davis) was a ground-saving third.
Spring Blake is now a 16-time winner with $265,477 in career earnings.
He paid $3 to win as the 1-2 favourite.
Foster and Jonathan Roberts led all drivers with three wins apiece on the 13-race program.
The 2025 fall meet at Rosecroft concludes on Thursday, Dec. 18 with another 13-race card and a Jackpot Hi-5 carryover of $5,967.91. First post is 7:15 p.m.
(Rosecroft Raceway)