Sophomore pacing colt Pet Rock tackled a field of Preferred pacers with his new driver at the helm at Woodbine Racetrack on the eve of Breeders Crown Night 2012.
With Doug McNair taking over the driving duties for Friday's $38,000 Preferred Pace, Pet Rock settled in behind Fred And Ginger (Jack Moiseyev) during a :26.2 opening panel. McNair pulled the pocket down the backstretch, but the leader refused to give way forcing him back into the two-hole before the half in :54.3.
Speed Again (Jody Jamieson) took his shot during the third panel and swept up from third to apply pressure to Fred And Ginger. Those two were just heads apart as they raced by the third quarter mark in 1:23.1 with Dalhousie Dave (Rick Zeron) looming from second over.
Speed Again took over command as the pacers entered the stretch, but Pet Rock split horses and blasted to the top to win in 1:51.1 by one and a quarter lengths over the 'good' surface rated one second off. Dalhousie Dave finished second and Bigtime Ball (Paul MacDonell) closed well for third.
Pet Rock, a Preferred winner at Woodbine on Oct. 13, paid $4.20 to win as the odds-on favourite.
The son of Rocknroll Hanover, who despite kicking home in :26.3 in his Breeders Crown elimination last week, finished seventh there, but was beaten by just over two lengths.
With his Friday victory, Pet Rock improved his sophomore record to 7-4-4 in 18 starts and lifted his seasonal earnings to $689,415. This year's Art Rooney champion also earned top three finishes in the Meadowlands Pace, Confederation Cup, Battle of the Brandywine, Cane Pace, and Bluegrass Series for trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. and owner Frank Bellino of Bronxville, New York.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.