Joseph Riad's Spy Booth converted a pocket trip into a three-length victory in the $17,143 Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday, March 19 at Rosecroft Raceway.
Kicking off a driving grand slam on the 13-race card for Jonathan Roberts, Spy Booth left strongly from midfield and strung 4-5 College Tuition (Johnathan Ahle) out through a :26.3 first quarter before yielding for a pocket ride through middle splits of :55.2 and 1:24.1. After a first-over bid from Dowedealinandwhy (Frank Milby) stalled, Roberts moved Spy Booth out of the pocket midway on the final turn, and the seven-year-old Muscle Hill-Amour Heiress gelding worked to the lead in upper stretch before pulling away from College Tuition for a 1:53.1 win. Dowedealinandwhy saved show.
Jamie Vance trains Spy Booth, who earned his first win of the season in six starts. He paid $7 to win as the co-second choice.
Roberts also won with Bizet ($6.60, 1:57.1), Auntmillysmartini ($3, 1:53.4) and Speed Ball Swagger ($13, 1:56.4).
At the midpoint of the 2025 winter-spring meet, which continues through May 17, Russell Foster sits atop the driver standings with 28 wins while Roberts' grand slam moves his win count to 25 in second place. Roger Plante Jr. (20), Johnathan Ahle (19) and Hugh O'Neil (16) round out the top five. On the training table, Howard Birney and Johnny Crites Jr. are tied for top honours with 11 wins apiece while Bryson Dunning and Alexandra Goldin are tied for third with nine.
Live harnes racing returns to Rosecroft on Monday, March 24, with the Jackpot Hi-5 carryover now standing at $2,873.01. First post is 7:15 p.m.
(With files from Rosecroft Raceway)