Rock The Nite Dominates Meadows Series

Published: November 2, 2014 12:49 am EDT

Rock The Nite completed his sweep of a late-closing series for freshman pacing colts and geldings Saturday at The Meadows when he captured the $25,750 championship in front-end fashion.

The Meadows hosted the finals of four series for two-year-olds Saturday, with Sixteen Encores, Momas Got A Gun and She Glides taking the other championships. Owner Bob Key enjoyed a double with Rock The Nite and Sixteen Encores.

Rock The Nite may have been the most impressive of the champions, leading at every call in his three series victories. Winning driver Dave Palone indicated the son of Rocknroll Hanover-Queen Of The Ball, who’s trained by Norm Parker, performs better on the point.

“He likes to fight them off, but he kind of loses track of things when he gets in a hole,” Palone said. “He loves to control a race. He’s a big, gorgeous colt, good gaited. I think he’ll make a good three-year-old, once he gets it figured out.”

Conversation Boy, who raced well first over finished second, a neck back, while Jed Kidd Squaking earned show. Time for the mile was 1:56.4.

In the other championships:

$30,000 Championship - Trotting Colts & Geldings

Sixteen Encores took time out from the series to finish second in the Simpson at Vernon Downs. That, coupled with his series performance, has his connections thinking about grander conquests.

“He had a few little issues early on, and Mr. Key agreed with me to give him some time,” said Rich Gillock, who trains the son of Encore Encore-Sweetsixteenkarets. “Sure enough, he’s come to be a nice colt. We missed most of the stakes season, but he’s eligible to the Matron and the Breeders Crown. We’ll probably wait and see how he came out of the race.”

In the series final, Sixteen Encores quarter-poled to the lead for Tony Hall and sailed home in 1:59.2, one and three-quarter lengths better than the pocket-sitting Red Maple Lane, with Cue Hall third.

$24,500 Championship - Pacing Fillies

A full brother of 2014 Little Brown Jug winner Limelight Beach, Momas Got A Gun moved confidently first over for Mike Wilder and triumphed in 1:56.3. Cantuhearmeknockn was second, two and a quarter lengths in arrears, while Ladys Critic completed the ticket.

“She’s really progressed every start,” Wilder said. “I really didn’t like her on the front end her last start. She loves a target, so I just sat as long as they let me sit. When I came with her, she responded and raced very well.”

Virgil Morgan Jr. conditions the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Benear for Geoffrey Martin.

$31,500 Championship - Trotting Fillies

She Glides, who had been fast early in miles but weary late, reversed that scenario Saturday when she launched a relentless uncovered bid that carried her to victory in 1:59.3, half a length ahead of Best Glider. Soaring Flight rallied for show.

“She’s a two-year-old, and she’s maturing,” said winning trainer/driver Del S. Miller. “Once you let her get started up, you’re in trouble. But if you can keep her halfway in control going into the first turn, you’re a lot better off. The last thing I wanted to be was first up, but it worked out that way.”

William Donovan campaigns the daughter of Glidemaster-Some Like It Lindy, who is ticketed for the Harrisburg Sale.

(The Meadows)

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