Fast fractions helped tee slight 7-2 second choice Picksixking for an off-the-pace score in the $22,222 featured pace at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel on Tuesday afternoon, April 22.

Leaving from post six, driver Marvin Luna took back with Picksixking while Rogers Image (Atlee Bender) hustled out of post eight for the top towards a :26.3 first quarter. Fred And Roz (Marcus Miller) settled for the pocket while Artifact Hanover (Devon Tharps) parked before finding a slot in third, where he then quickly got locked to the pylons as the outer tier began to roll.

Hurrikane Chuck (Ernie Hendry) flushed first up moving for a :55.3 half to lead the charge after Rogers Image. Luna grabbed cover in the flow to race third over up the backstretch, but swiftly swung three-wide while the tempo stayed steady on the march to three-quarters in 1:24.4. Picksixking powered over the field and laid aim on Rogers Image in the final turn, tucking into the pocket briefly before angling back out off the turn and spurting away to a 2-3/4-length win in a 1:53.1 mile. Rogers Image held second from Artifact Hanover, who found room late at the inside, in third while L Dees Jack Lopez (Pat Curtin) rallied from second over for fourth.

Rob Laffoon trains Picksixking, a five-year-old gelding by All Bets Off, for owner Mark Esslinger. The gelding won his 13th race from 73 starts, and his third this season at Oak Grove, while pushing his career earnings to $159,026. He paid $9.96 to win.

Racing continues at Oak Grove on Monday, April 28 with the second leg of Kentucky Sire Stakes for four-year-olds as well as the second leg of a $10,000 USD claiming mini-series on tap. First-race post time at Oak Grove is 1:45 p.m. (CDT).

(Oak Grove)