Welcome to this week’s Maryland Standardbred Industry update! It was a monumental week on the track, highlighted by a major career milestone, impressive comeback victories, and thrilling trotting action. Here is your recap of the biggest moments from Monday and Thursday night’s cards.
🏆 Milestone Monday: Jonathan Roberts Reaches 5,000 Wins!
Monday night belonged to driver Jonathan Roberts, who secured the 5,000th win of his career in thrilling fashion!
Roberts reached the milestone in the night’s eighth race (a $7,500 conditioned claiming pace) by steering Freaky Feet Beast to a 12-1 upset. Powering to the front from post 9, Roberts controlled the fractions and dug in down the stretch to stave off a ferocious late rally from the 3-5 favorite, Levi At Play, winning by a diminishing neck in 1:54.4.
Making the victory even sweeter, Freaky Feet Beast is trained by Jonathan’s father, William “Bib” Roberts, for Kiwi Stables (where Jonathan is a partner) and Graham Grace Stables.
Roberts didn’t stop there—just four races later, he secured win number 5,001 with Sheer Terror in a $9,000 top-level conditioned pace. He followed that up with another dominant performance on Thursday, leading all drivers with three wins on the card.
Jonathan Roberts won his 5,000th and 5001st races on Monday, Feb., 16th at Rosecroft Raceway.
🐎 ‘Blake’ is Back: Monday’s Open Handicap
Despite being shuffled severely up the backstretch, Johnny Crites Jr.’s Spring Blake came roaring back through the far turn to claim the $12,000 Open Handicap Pace. Driven by Russell Foster, the 4-5 favorite posted a two-length, 1:53.1 victory over Lyons Stealth and A Major Attitude.
This impressive win was one of three on the Monday card for Foster, who also drove Hippo Hanover and Sea Of Life to victory.
👑 Thursday Highlights: Peace Talks & Dowedealinandwhy
Thursday night delivered excellent racing in the co-featured events:
- Distaff Dominance: Peace Talks secured her second win in as many starts this season in the $10,000 top-level distaff pace. Driven by Jonathan Roberts and trained by Michael Hall, the mare vaulted three-wide up the backstretch, circled her cover, and drew clear to a commanding 3-1/4-length victory in 1:53.4. Oh Ophelia took second, with early pacesetter Phoenix Rising holding third.
- Trotting Triumph: In the co-featured $10,000 top-level trot, Dowedealinandwhy(driven by Jared Moyer and trained by Colby Hubble) sustained overland gains before inheriting the pocket and collaring leader Crossfit Mouse to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:58.
Dowedealinandwhy, drvien by Jared Moyer, won the $10,000 top-level trot at Rosecroft Raceway on Thursday, Feb. 19.
📅 Looking Ahead: Next Live Racing
Don’t miss our next night of live harness racing on Monday, February 23.
- First Post: 7:15 p.m. (EST)
- The Card: 13 action-packed races
- Jackpot Hi-5: We’re rolling into Monday with a massive $19,851.33 carryover!
See you at the track!
