After his stablemate in Team Oakes, Homicide Hunter, became the fastest trotter ever with a 1:48.4 victory at Lexington earlier in the day, the Rocknroll Hanover gelding Scott Rocks upheld the honour of the pacing end of the stable with a 1:49.2 victory in the $30,000 Open pace Saturday, Oct. 6 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
George Napolitano Jr., teaming with trainer Hunter Oakes successfully for the third time of four and notching a personal fifth win on the card, sent the speedy pacer to his preferred spot at the head of the field. He cut out fractions of :26.2, :54.4 and 1:22.2 as first Check Six and then Music Is Art challenged.
Through the stretch Scott Rocks drew off from those rivals and then withstood an inside bid from Franco Rayner N by three-quarter lengths. The durable eight-year-old, whose 1:49 win at Northfield in 2016 still stands as the world record for older pacing geldings on a half-mile track, notched his 50th victory career with his earnings now up to $839,029.
In the $20,000 claiming handicap pace, Pembroke Wildcat won his third-straight contest, having to overcome the first-over trip and pacesetter Ideal Kiss to win in 1:50.1. The victorious Western Maverick gelding, second choice to the pacesetting favourite, gradually wore down the leader under the guidance of Anthony Napolitano and had a two-length margin at the wire. Pocketsitter Townslight Hanover photoed out the hard-used pacesetter for the deuce. Brittany Robertson trains and owns the career winner of $355,227.
(With files from the PHHA)