Piece Of The Rock, the third-place finisher from last year's Pepsi North America Cup, made his 2011 charted debut in style Thursday during Mohawk Racetrack's qualifying session. The Rocknroll Hanover gelding recorded a narrow victory, as he defeated a fine group of challengers

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The career winner of $371,007 lined up to Post 3 during this morning's tenth race, which was the second-last dash on the docket. The track was rated 'fast' throughout the card.

With driver Scott Young up behind the four-year-old for trainer Bob Young, Piece Of The Rock got in to the two-hole early and remained there all the way into the homestretch. Part Shark, the 2010 Gold Cup & Saucer winner who was also making his seasonal charted debut in the dash, cut out all the fractions (:28, :58.2, 1:27) for driver Scott Zeron and trainer Wayne Preszcator.

In the end, Young and Piece Of The Rock fired home for a three-quarters of one length win in a solid 1:53.2.

Anderlecht, who was putting in his third qualifier back this season, finished third for driver Doug McNair. Standout western Canadian pacer Flak Jacket made his Ontario charted debut in the dash and finished fourth for driver Rick Zeron.

Each of the aforementioned horses closed up well in Race 10, as the top five finishers each closed with final quarters in under 27 seconds.

The O'Brien Award-winning Taurus Dream filly Crys Dream was scheduled to partake in the qualifying session (Race 2), but was scratched.

On the NA Cup front, a pair of eligibles paced miles this morning. National Interest finished fourth in Race 1 and was individually timed in 1:57, while Big Time Rocks finished second in Race 6 and was individually timed in 1:56.

To view the results from the qualifying session, please click the following link: Thursday Results - Mohawk Racetrack (Qualifiers)