Spring Blake caps three win night for Crites Jr

FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — Spring Blake sustained a first-over grind for nine-sixteenths of a mile to collar pacesetter Leonard’s Legacy and narrowly held off a hard-closing A Major Attitude to secure a 1:53.1 harness racing victory in Monday’s (Dec. 1) featured $12,000 Open Handicap Pace at Rosecroft Raceway, capping a three-win night for trainer Johnny Crites Jr. in the act.

Russell Foster pushed forward off the gate with the 4-year-old Courtly Choice-Spring Break ridgling, and the pair retreated to third early as Leonard’s Legacy (driven by Tim Deaton) and Rebellious (William Carter) dueled through a :26 first quarter. Spring Blake began his overland ascent as the field entered the clubhouse turn, working into a joint second through a :56 half and accelerating to push the pace up the backstretch.

Spring Blake claimed a narrow advantage past three-quarters in 1:23.3 and he worked to put Leonard’s Legacy away off the turn for home. A Major Attitude (Justin Walters) mounted a massive rally from the back of the pack and lifted around rivals but came up a half length short. Rebellious saved third up the open stretch from a failing pocket.

SPRING BLAKE REPLAY

Crites also owns Spring Blake, who paid $4 to win as the even-money favorite. His other victorious trainees on the 13-race card were Velocity Gator (1:55, Jonathan Roberts, $2.10) and Fox Valley Mamba (1:53.2, William Carter, $71.20), both of whom won for owner Mike Chaney.

Live harness racing returns to Rosecroft on Thursday (Dec. 4) with a $3,145.41 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5, offered in the 10th of 13 races on the program. First post is 7:15 p.m. (EST).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

From Rosecroft Raceway