Whats Up Rock passed six horses in the stretch to capture the $9,250 final leg of the VHHA Pacing Series Thursday afternoon at Colonial Downs.

Trainer Dean Eckley’s three-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding started from post eight in the 10-horse field and laboured in seventh through the first three fractions. A trio of different pacers each tripped the timer early on in the late closer finale. All Tanned Up triggered a :27.2 opening panel while Plain Easy got to the half in :54.2 and Blueridge Adalia hit the three-quarters mark in 1:22.4.

Whats Up Rock, with Robert Dinning in the sulky, was seven and a half lengths behind turning for home, but surged to the outside, passed the front steppers and crossed in a lifetime-best 1:51.3. The winner ended up two and a quarter lengths in front of fast-closing Box Of Money, who was sixth at the head of the stretch.

Whats Up Rock, co-owned by Amanda Klauenberg and Seth Fogelson of Ohio, earned his sixth victory of the year and third in a row. His prior life mark of 1:53.2 was set at the New Kent track 10 days ago.

Gordieisanartist, who paced a 1:49.4 mile at Colonial a week ago, made it two straight by winning the $6,000 Winners Over secondary feature. The seven-year-old Real Artist horse went wire-to-wire again, but instead of winning by six, battled stride for stride down the stretch with 2012 Horse of the Meet Docs Bonanza. Gordieisanartist, who rose in class Wednesday, won by a head in 1:50.2.

Colonial Downs will present an 11-race card on Thursday beginning at 1 p.m.

(Colonial Downs)