“The owners have decided to abandon her breeding plans and race her the entire year. I’m very happy about that decision.”
Trainer Ron Burke has told the Meadowlands Racetrack’s publicity department that champion mare Rocklamation will delay motherhood and race the entire year. The announcement comes after it was originally planned for the daughter of Rocknroll Hanover to race while in foal until August.
“The owners have decided to abandon her breeding plans and race her the entire year,” Burke said about the career earner of $2.25 million. “I’m very happy about that decision.”
Rocklamation will begin her seven-year-old season this Friday (April 10) at the Meadowlands in the $27,500 Mares Open Handicap. She will face just five other rivals including the razor-sharp Radar Contact, who won last week’s Open at the Meadowlands with an eye-popping :25.3 final quarter of a mile.
“With the short field, there probably won’t be a lot of movement,” said Burke. “It’ll probably turn into a sprint and we’ll likely be sprinting home from sixth.”
Rocklamation is owned in partnership by Our Horse Cents Stable, Stable 45, and J&T Silva Stables. Last year, she was named the Dan Patch co-champion pacing mare despite battling soundness issues throughout the season. She scored her biggest wins in the Golden Girls, Lady Liberty, and Artiscape. Burke believes the issues developed following the demanding Blue Chip Matchmaker, which is why he skipped the series this year.
“Whatever issues she had last year have seemed to resolve themselves and as long as she stays sound we plan to race a full schedule,” explained Burke. “Hopefully, we’ve learned how to manage her better. You can call this year her retirement tour because she will definitely be retired and bred next year.”
Friday’s 12-race card also includes a $27,500 Open Trot. Meladys Monet is the 6-5 morning line favourite versus five other rivals.
There is also a carryover of $71,506 in the Jackpot Super High 5 in Race 5 and $35,827 in the Race 12 Jackpot Super High 5.
(With files from the Meadowlands)