Rocknificent was handed a magnificent trip from driver Scott Zeron, and the pacing mare converted off that sweet steer with a strong score in the single 2021 Breeders Crown elimination for older pacing mares on Saturday (Oct. 23) at The Meadowlands.
Sent off as the second choice behind harness racing's top-ranked horse Lyons Sentinel, Rocknificent landed in second early behind Rockin Nola (Joey Putnam). That Indiana invader played catch-me-if-you-can with her rivals through fractions of :26.2, :55 and 1:21.4 as favoured Lyons Sentinel (Tim Tetrick) forged first up but couldn't gain on the leader into the far turn.
Turning for home, pocket-sitter Rocknificent and third-place Peaky Sneaky (Dexter Dunn) angled from the cones and took a run at a leg-weary Rockin Nola. Lyons Sentinel found another gear late, but it was too late as Rocknificent and Peaky Sneaky had separated enough to make it a two-horse battle to the wire. Rocknificent held on by a neck in 1:48.4 with Peaky Sneaky and Lyons Sentinel rounding out the triactor.
It was the fourth win of the season for Rocknificent (Captaintreacherous - Rocklamation) but the tenth time in her last 10 races that she's finished first or second. Linda Toscano trains the the 14-time winner for Enviro Stables Ltd. of Sunny Isles Beach, Fl., South Mountain Stables of Milburn, N.J. and Little E LLC of New York, N.Y.
"She makes my job awful easy," said Toscano. "She's just such a pleasure to be around. She's a picture of consistency, she's just a sweetheart. It's absolutely amazing that she can leave as many weeks as she does and still come back to [Scott] with two fingers."
The top seven finishers join Drama Act, $31,250 supplemental entry Racine Bell, and Ontario's So Much More in the $330,000 final. Here's the post draw.
1. Rocknificent
2. Peaky Sneaky
3. So Much More
4. Lyons Sentinel
5. JK First Lady
6. Keep Rockin A
7. Racine Bell
8. Rockin Nola
9. Marloe Hanover
10. Drama Act
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