Rocket Deo and driver Andy McCarthy needed a long journey to gain control but dug in bravely in the stretch to capture the $140,278 Shady Daisy Stakes for sophomore pacing fillies in a career-best 1:49 mile on the Saturday, Aug. 3 stakes card at The Meadowlands.

The action was fast and furious from the outset in the Shady Daisy, with Stonecoldtreachery and Bob McClure hustling quickly past Miraculous Deo and Todd McCarthy to take control at the :26.3 opening quarter. McClure felt immediate pressure when Canigetalouploup and David Miller pounced on Stonecoldtreachery off the opening bend to take control. Andy McCarthy had followed the outer flow with the Brett Pelling-trained Rocket Deo and the daughter of Captaintreacherous assumed command before completing the first half in :53.4.

Andy McCarthy was looking for company on the final turn, and when favoured Caviart Belle and Yannick Gingras went to the outside, she flushed the cover of Stonecoldtreachery. Rocket Deo hit three-quarters in 1:21.4 and tried to sprint free, leaving the door ajar for the pocket-sitting Canigetalouploup, whom Miller angled out to challenge. A stretch battle ensued, but Rocket Deo kept digging in and gamely held off the closers, surviving with a :27.1 final quarter with Canigetalouploup a head back in second and Lou Lou and Scott Zeron rallying strongly late for third. The Pelling-trained Sweet Gal and Jordan Stratton came through for fourth with Miraculous Deo fifth.

“I had pretty good faith in her,” said Andy McCarthy after the race. “I thought I was beat in mid-stretch. She’s a gritty girl.”

Rocket Deo is owned by John Fielding of Scarborough, Ont. and the Pennsylvania-based Morrison Racing Stables. She was a winner for the sixth time in eight tries this year. Out of the stakes-winning mare Rocklamation, Rocket Deo was bred by Deo Volente Farms and T L P Stable.

Rocket Deo paid $10.80 to win as the 4-1 third choice.

(With files from Hambletonian Society)