Knocking on the door against Open company since shipping to Ohio in mid-January, Grace Rocks finally got the job done on Saturday (Feb. 18) night in the $18,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at MGM Northfield Park.
Driver Eric Tharps Jr. wasted no time putting Grace Rocks on the lead, leaving alertly from post four. Heading into the backstretch for the first time, Tharps cleared Smothastenesewisky, but Blue Ivy also challenged the leader at the quarter in :26.2.
Following the snappy quarter, Merriman tried to relegate the heavy favourite Blue Ivy into a hole, but they all closed heading into the far turn for the first time, forcing Merriman to press forward. Tharps never took his foot off the gas pedal, leading Blue Ivy to the half in :54.4.
Heading to three-quarters in 1:22.4, Waitforever N tipped three-wide but had nothing for the leaders heading into the final turn. Through the stretch, Smothastenesewisky tried to capitalize off the perfect trip but couldn’t get to Grace Rocks, who won by three-quarter lengths in 1:51.3. Smothastenesewisky finished second while Kat was third.
Owned by Howard Taylor and trained by Jamal Williams, Grace Rocks has now earned $410,165 in 68 starts. The victory was the 21st of her career.
Live racing resumes on Tuesday evening (Feb. 21) at 6 p.m. (EST). MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
(Northfield Park)