Keep On Rocking A delivered another big performance at Running Aces on Sunday afternoon (July 12).
Keep On Rocking A made easy work of an abbreviated field to pick up his third consecutive victory at the top Open Handicap level since arriving in the upper midwest in mid June as one of the top horses on the roster of owner/trainer Chris Scicluna.
The eight-year-old Australian import by Rocknroll Hanover dominated this week's top pace with a sharp gate-to-wire effort in 1:52.4. He and driver Pat Berry fired to the lead from Post 5 and then registered moderate early fractions of :27.4 and :57.
Berry then proceeded to step on the gas pedal with the leader just past the midway point. The duo kept everybody in 'chase mode' with a solid final half mile in :55.4. The duo recorded a one and three-quarter-length victory and eclipsed the quarter-million dollar mark ($252,992) in career earnings with what was his 27th lifetime win. He was the heavy favourite in the wagering, and returned $2.80 for every $2 investment.
Heza Real Diamond (who was driven by Nick Roland) rode the pocket and held gamely for second, while Royale Big Guy (Mooney Svendsen) secured the third position throughout.
Also featured on the Sunday program were three races for Minnesota-sired sophomore trotters, where SB Madame Secretary (Darrell Wright, $6.00) turning in a career-best 1:57.2 mile in the $11,500 'A' division over Teachmehowtotory (Nick Roland) who was just a half length back at the wire.
The $6,900 'B' division went to Double My Decker (Pat Berry, $2.20) in 2:02.1 for her sixth career win. SB My Boy Gideon (Gerald Longo, $4.40) was placed as the winner in the $4,600 'C' division after Beautiful Beast (Mooney Svendsen) was disqualified for a lapped on break at the wire. The mile was registered in 1:58.3 while SB My Boy Gideon trotted in 1:58.4.
Driver Pat Berry led the day on Sunday with four winners, while Lemoyne 'Mooney' Svendsen registered a triple. Both Gerald Longo and Darrel Wright each picked up a driving double.
Trainers Justin Anfinson and Ulf Holm-Johansen were the leaders on the day with two winners apiece.
Live racing will return to Running Aces on Tuesday, July 14, with first post at 1:00 p.m. (CDT). The program will feature a $8,169.96 carryover in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager.
(Running Aces)