Rocknroll Runa A did what Rocknroll Runa A does on Saturday night, Feb. 10 as Larry Stalbaum’s stable star won another Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
A winner of his final two Open tries in 2023 at Saratoga, Rocknroll Runa A got his ’24 campaign at the Spa started with a victory in the feature on opening night last weekend (Feb. 3). On Saturday, the seven-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven gelding drew post eight for his next attempt in the $20,270 Open Handicap and Stalbaum, who owns, trains and drives the classy pacer, got him away mid-pack in the early going. The race’s favourite, Slip The Hundy N (Jay Randall), powered up to take the lead in a first half in 56 seconds over the sloppy track but was quickly confronted by Rocknroll Runa A, who slugged it out with the invading favourite for the entirety of the second lap. Rocknroll Runa A got the better of Slip The Hundy N in the stretch and stopped the timer in 1:53.1 with the track rated two seconds off. Slip The Hundy N proved to be a strong second while longshot Twin B Tuffenuff (Mitch Cushing) closed to finish third.
Rocknroll Runa A was the 2-1 second choice in the wagering and led an exacta and triple that paid $17.20 and $353, respectively. He improved his overall record for the season to two-for-four and now has 27 career wins with just over $350,000 in purse earnings.
Stalbaum scored a double when his Ashley Locaz N prevailed in the finale in a claiming event for pacers.
Live harness racing resumes on Monday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee set to begin at noon.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)