FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — Joseph Riad’s Spy Booth converted a pocket trip into a three-length victory in Wednesday’s (March 19) $12,000 Open Handicap Trot at Rosecroft Raceway, kicking off a driving grand slam for Jonathan Roberts.
 
Spy Booth left strongly from midfield and strung 4-5 College Tuition (driven by 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 worked Spy Booth out of the pocket midway on the final turn, and the 7-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.
 
Spy Booth lay in wait before vaulting to victory in Wednesday’s Open Handicap Trot at Rosecroft Raceway, giving driver Jonathan Roberts one of his four wins on the 13-race card. (courtesy Erik Jones/Room 9 Photography)
Jamie Vance trains 12-time winner Spy Booth, who paid $7.00 to win as the co-second choice.
 
Roberts also won with Bizet ($6.60, 1:57.1), Auntmilly’smartini ($3.00, 1:53.4) and Speed Ball Swagger ($13.00, 1:56.4).
 
At the midpoint of the 2025 winter-spring meet, which continues through May 17, Russell Foster sits atop the drivers’ table with 28 wins; Roberts’ grand slam gives him 25; and 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 honors with 11 wins apiece; Bryson Dunning and Alexandra Goldin are tied for third with nine.
 
Live 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. (EDT).
