Rockn Stien, a recent purchase by the M T Pockets Stables and Wrenn Racing, made his debut for his new owners at Pompano Park on Tuesday night and promptly took top honours in the $12,000 Open Handicap Trot.
The five-year-old gelded son of Valley Victor, handled superbly by Peter Wrenn, had to go to “Plan B” early on before pinning a one-length defeat on the pacesetting Diamond Dagger, driven by Jason Dillander. Massacaia, making his first start for Jason Robinson after a three-month respite from the racing wars, rallied for show honours for Ricky Macomber, Jr. while Shes All In, prominent throughout, finished fourth. Gold Savage picked up the nickel in the septet.
DC Flashback was next while Tater Twister, looking for his fourth straight win, completed the order of finish after finding himself on the outside looking in through lively first half panels.
At the outset, it was a cavalry charge as the Hummer Starting Gate fled the scene with Shes All In (post 2), Gold Savage (4), Diamond Dagger (5), Rockn Stien (6) and Tater Twister (7) all left with alacrity with Gold Savage and Rockn Stien taking back and letting the others sort it out.
By the time they reached the opening marker--:27—Diamond Dagger had wrestled the lead from She’s All In with Tater Twister hung out to dry like wet laundry. At the half in :55.2, Gold Savage had to share the fourth spot with Rockn Stien, who tilted out on turn two to begin his drive forward.
On the backside, Rockn Stien was on a first up binge to reach second as Diamond Dagger took the field past the third station in 1:24. In the lane, Diamond Dagger and Rockn Stien were in a fierce battle with Rockn Stien edging to the front a sixteenth from home for the win in 1:53.2.
After the event, driver Peter Wrenn related, “we just got this one recently and I really didn’t know what to expect in his first start back.
“He did qualify well and my plan was to get him off the gate and try and land in a good spot up close. But, when they leaving on both sides of me, I had to go to ‘plan B’ and take back.
“He went a very brave trip going first up and he finished nicely…and in a new mark, too. I am very pleased, as you can imagine.”
The win was number 10 in Rockn Stien’s career vaulting his lifetime bankroll over the $150,000 plateau--$151,865 to be precise.
Off at the even-money tote-board favourite, Rockn Stien returned a win mutuel of $4.20.
Wrenn, by the way, now has amassed 9,794 career wins.
Racing continues on Wednesday with Miss Mady and OK Heavenly the morning line favourites in the $11,000 Mares Open Pace.
Pompano Park will offer a $10,000 guaranteed pool on the Wednesday Pick-4, conducted on races 5 through 8.
(Pompano Park)