Fort Washington, MD – P T Stable’s Brother Dick made every pole a winning one en route to a 1:52.2 score in the $16,800 final of the Spring Fever Claiming Series, which headlined Monday’s (April 27) harness racing program at Rosecroft Raceway.
In what turned out to be a showdown with fellow two-time preliminary winner Poseidon Deo, Brother Dick and driver William Carter made an early push forward to clear Blue Label (driven by Roger Plante Jr.) through a :26.3 first quarter while Poseidon Deo and Jonathan Roberts came away seventh in the nine-horse field. Moments after achieving the lead, Brother Dick faced an immediate challenge from Capo Bovino (Justin Walters), who applied steady yet mild pressure through middle splits of :55.1 and 1:23.4 with Poseidon Deo drafting second-over.
Capo Bovino began to fade on the far turn, prompting Roberts to push three-wide with Poseidon Deo and take aim at Brother Dick. The 8-year-old JK Endofanera-Caviart Cara gelding held his ground stoutly, keeping Poseidon Deo a length at bay for his 31st career win and his second in as many starts for trainer Bryson Dunning. Big Truss (Jared Moyer) emerged out of traffic to finish third, ahead of the weakening Blue Label.
Brother Dick paid $4 to win as an even-money joint favorite.
‘BLAKE’ BEST AGAIN: In the $12,000 Open Handicap Pace, Spring Blake rolled to his eighth win of the meet, controlling splits of :27, :56.1 and 1:23.3 before holding off pocket foe J M Mandamin for a half-length, 1:51.4 victory. Russell Foster again drove the 5-year-old Courtly Choice-Spring Break ridgling, who paid $2.80 to win, for owner-trainer Johnny Crites Jr.
HATS OFF TO ROBERTS: Jonathan Roberts padded his lead atop the Rosecroft drivers’ standings by teaming three winners on the 13-race card: Rusty’s Lancelot (1:53.3, $56.40), for trainer Jerry Nock; Fly High Cruiser (1:52.4, $5), for trainer Michael Hall; and Captain Max Henry (1:53, $6.80), for trainer Brittany Bounds.
NEWS AND NOTES: The Jackpot Hi-5 carryover has increased to $13,570.71 after multiple players had the winning 6-5-2-4-7 combination for a $421.80 return on a 50-cent ticket. … Live racing at Rosecroft will take place on Thursday and Saturday evenings for the duration of the meet, which concludes Saturday, May 16. … This coming Thursday’s (April 30) program features a $12,000 Open Handicap Trot, which is carded as the 11th of 13 races. First post is 7:15 p.m. (EDT).