Jacob Stillwell refused to relinquish the lead with Rockinwiththebest and proved the best at the end of a 1:57.1 mile to pull a 10-1 upset in the $9,000 American Harness Drivers Club Pace on Friday, May 19 at Freehold Raceway.
Leaving from the pylon post, Rockinwiththebest protected position and pushed through to the inside as Windsong Jack (Yogi Sheridan) gathered his speed and pressed for the lead to a :27.4 first quarter. However, Stillwell kept Windsong Jack parked through the second turn and stayed nose-to-tail with the first-over challenger through a :56.4 half while Texas Terror N (John Calabrese) raced second-over and Johnny Q (Pearly Allen) drafted from the pocket.
Fatigue hit Windsong Jack into the backstretch and he began a retreat while Rockinwiththebest stayed resolute on a near two-length lead to three-quarters in 1:26.3. Rockinwiththebest kicked for home on fumes but carrying his speed, though Snap Call (Matt Zuccarello) burst through traffic and mounted a final gambit. But Rockinwiththebest fought to keep a neck in front at the finish with Johnny Q slipping through the inside for third and Salvadors Sun (Paul Minore) taking fourth.
Brandon Mongiello owns and trains Rockinwiththebest, a 10-year-old by Rockin Image. The gelding paid $22.60 to win.
American Harness Drivers Club action continues at Freehold Raceway on Saturday with two $9,000 divisions on the trot, carded as Race 9 and Race 11. First-race post time at Freehold is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).
(American Harness Drivers Club)