Spring Blake stalked Layton Hanover's live cover before switching three-wide in the homestretch and soaring to a 1:52 repeat score in the $16,438 Open Handicap Pace at Rosecroft Raceway on Monday, March 9.
With rival Lous Starr scratched, Spring Blake was favoured at 1-5 in the seven-horse field. And the five-year-old Courtly Choice-Spring Break ridgling lived up to all expectations.
In line to Russell Foster, Spring Blake floated forward from his outside post seven to settle in fourth as Horse (William Carter) controlled early splits of :26 and :55.3. Up the backstretch, Spring Blake took advantage of a live second-over tow behind Layton Hanover (Roger Plante Jr.), who collared Horse and took the lead just past the 1:23.2 three-quarters. Layton Hanover put Horse away turning for home, but Spring Blake angled off cover and switched gears in the final 100 yards to win by a widening 1-1/2 lengths while in hand. Tony Babe (Shane Griffith) rallied wide out of a failing pocket to narrowly save second over Layton Hanover.
Spring Blake, now a four-time winner this season from seven starts and 20-time winner in his career, paid $2.60 to win.
Johnny Crites Jr., who owns and trains Spring Blake, led all trainers with three wins on the 13-race card, also sending a pair of horses owned by Mike Chaney to the winner's circle: Ayr Corleon GB ($3.80) and Velocity Gator ($4.20).
Crites' 17 training wins at the winter-spring meet put him atop the standings, over Michael Hall (13) and Jerry Nock (10).
Jonathan Roberts extended his advantage atop the Rosecroft drivers' table with his second consecutive four-win program at the Capital Region oval. Two were aboard horses in which his Kiwi Stables shares ownership — Odds On Valhalla ($8.20) and Freaky Feet Beast ($6.20) — and the others were with Manaccount (1:54.4, $2.20) and Starship (1:54.1, $2.40). Roberts' grand slam gives him 24 wins at the current meet, over Roger Plante Jr. (20) and Russell Foster (18).
Total all-sources handle was $353,800 USD, third highest at the current meet.
When live harness racing returns to Rosecroft on Thursday, March 12, there will be a $34,429.39 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5, offered in the last race, after multiple winners had the 6-4-7-5-9 combination for $361.15 on Monday. As always, free past performance pages, the Players' Guide tip sheet and live and archived video are available to players at rosecroft.com.
First post on Thursday is 7:15 p.m.
(Rosecroft Raceway)