Trainer Ken Rucker scored a hat trick during Friday night’s 13-race card including wins in a pair of stakes divisions
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Fresh off a win in the first leg of the Clyde Hirt Series, Rocknroll Band prevailed in the first of three $18,000 divisions tonight for Rucker.
With David Miller in tow, Rocknroll Band demanded the lead in a late rally down the stretch to gain his second win of 2009 in 1:52.3. Major General (Andy Miller) was a half-length back in second and Allamerican Major (George Brennan) was another half-length behind for third. Rocknroll Band paid $4.60, $3.20, and $2.40 in the night’s fourth race.
Owned by the Engel Stable of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, the four-year-old son of Mattnamaras Band-Sleep Talk has advanced his career earnings to more than $100,000.
The second leg of the Complex Series was also featured on Friday at the Big M. Wildridge Sam picked up a win in the first of two $20,000 divisions for Rucker. Yannick Gingras guided the five-year-old Artiscape-Carnival bay to his first win of the year nosing out longshot Grab Your Keys (Andy Miller) in 1:54.1. Thunder Cruise (David Miller) finished third.
Wildridge Sam, owned by the Panhellenic Stable of Oyster Bay, New York, lifted his bankroll to $126,727 with the win. He paid $8.60, $5.20, and $3.40.
Earlier in Race 2, Sand Pleasure also prevailed for Rucker in her first assignment of the year. The four-year-old Cambest pacing mare triumphed in 1:55 by a nose with Miller in the bike.
Rucker, a resident of Beecher, Illinois, has recorded 12 wins so far this year and over $100,000 in earnings. In his career, he has trained 1,431 winners earning over $17 million in purses.
In the second Clyde Hirt division, Camshaft Hanover posted a 14-1 upset winning in 1:51.4 by two and a half lengths in rein to George Brennan.
Frankyluvsmeatbals and Eric Goodell finished up the final race of the night and the third division of the Clyde Hirt Series in 1:52.4.
Driven by Brian Sears, Allamerican Idol front stepped his way to victory lane in the other Complex division winning in 1:51.3 by almost two lengths for the second straight week.
Sears was back in the winner’s circle with Beach Nut Brand in the $35,000 Invitational Trot.
The seven-year-old Branded-Shes A Little Vixen gelding found the front before the half and held off a quick closing Morguns Sweetheart (George Brennan) for the win by half a length in 1:55.2. Dink Adoo (David Miller) rounded out the top three.
The Mark Harder trainee scored his first win of ’09 and 37th of his career for Stable 45 of Hauppauge, New York and Scott Kurzrok of Rosemont, Pennsylvania. Beach Nut Brand’s career earnings now total $528,105.
The Clyde Hirt Series concludes Saturday, January 24 with an $80,000 final.
The Complex series also concludes Saturday, January 24 with a $75,000 final.
To view Friday’s results, click here.
(With files from NJSEA)