Wanna Rock N Roll had an impressive first part of 2016, racing at Yonkers Raceway and Vernon Downs. But after making four starts at Batavia Downs in the distaff Open, the mare was turned out in August. Now in only her second start back from the layoff, Wanna Rock N Roll was victorious in the $9,500 Mares Open pacing feature at Batavia on Friday night (December 2).
Even-money favourite My Tallia Ideal (Dave McNeight III) left and became the early race commander, taking the abbreviated field of five through their paces in post-position order in :28.3 and :59.3. When the group passed the five-eighths pole, Looney Dune (Ben McNeil) and Susies Delight (Ray Fisher Jr.) both came off the rail and went nowhere, but the move allowed Kruella (Shawn McDonough) to shoot up the pylons from last to third behind the pocket-sitting Wanna Rock N Roll (Drew Monti).
As the girls came off the last turn, Wanna Rock N Roll tipped out and started pacing by the tiring My Tallia Ideal while Kruella ducked to the passing lane and did the same. But Wanna Rock N Roll had the jump and cruised to an easy one-length victory in 1:57.
The win was the eighth of the year for Wanna Rock N Roll ($14.80) and the purse increased her 2016 earnings to $61,970. Rose Campbell owns the daughter of Rocknroll Hanover, who is trained by Steve Kiblin.
In the co-featured $9,000 Open Trot, Noble Legend (Shawn Gray) followed Kahoku (Ron Beback Jr.) for 7/8th’s of a mile before pulling pocket and out-brushing the leader to the wire by a nose to win in 1:58.3. Noble Legend's ninth win of the year raised his bankroll to $68,138 for owners Vogel & Wags Nags Stable and Jack Rice. Maria Rice trains the winner.
Drew Monti scored a driving triple on the card and that pushed him to 102 wins for the meet. Shawn Gray and Larry Stalbaum both had driving doubles while Steve Kiblin also had a training double.
(With files from Batavia Downs)