Spring Blake repeats at Rosecroft

FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — Spring Blake stalked Layton Hanover's live cover before switching three-wide in the homestretch and soaring to a 1:52 score in Monday's (March 9) $12,000 Open Handicap Pace at Rosecroft Raceway.

With rival Lou's Starr scratched, Spring Blake was favored at 1-5 in the seven-horse field. And the 5-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 7 to settle in fourth as Horse (driven by William Carter) controlled early splits of :26 and :55.3. Up the backstretch, Spring Blake took advantage of a live second-over two 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 and 20-time winner in his career, paid $2.60.

HERE'S JOHNNY: 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 (1:55.1, $3.80) and Velocity Gator (1:53, $4.20). Crites' 17 training wins at the winter-spring meet put him atop the standings, over Michael Hall (13) and Jerry Nock (10).

'GRAND' NIGHT FOR ROBERTS: Jonathan Roberts extended his advantage atop the Rosecroft drivers' table with his second consecutive four-win program at the Capital Region oval. Two came aboard horses in which his Kiwi Stables LLC shares ownership — Odds On Valhalla (1:54.2, $8.20) and Freaky Feet Beast (1:53.3, $6.20) — and the others came 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).

NOTES: Total all-sources handle was $353,800, 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 www.rosecroft.com. ... First post Thursday is 7:15 p.m. (EDT).