Rocklamation and Corey Braden took home the $76,200 Ladyship Stakes on Saturday night at Tioga Downs in 1:52.2
.
Leaving from post position number seven, Braden hustled Rocklamation off the gate and to the lead through the first quarter in :26.4. As the field straightened up by the three-eighth’s mile mark, Andrew McCarthy moved heavy favourite Honky Tonk Woman to the front and through a half in :55.1. Greg Merton moved New Album off the pylons through a first over grind down the backside reaching three-quarters in 1:23.3. As the field turned for home, Honky Tonk Woman was clinging to the lead, but Braden and Rocklamation found room up the pylons to win by a neck in 1:52.2. Honky Tonk Woman held tough for second, while New Album was third.
Mark Harder trains and co-owns the three-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Art Sale in partnership with Deena Rachel Frost and Stable 45.
In the $62,500 Jersey Cup only three colt pacers were entered, so the event was raced as a non-wagering event between the second and third races on the card.
Rollem Up and Howard Parker, leaving from post position number one, battled early for the lead and put Arockin Hanover and Greg Merton in the two-hole through fractions of :27.4, :56 and 1:24.1. As the field rounded the final turn, Merton pulled Arockin Hanover to the outside and the duo battled with the pacesetter to the wire with Arockin Hanover and Greg Merton winning by a head in 1:51.3.
The mile established a new lifetime mark for the three-year old son of Rocknroll Hanover-Artaffection for trainer Erv Miller and the ownership group of John Carver, Greg Gillis and Clarice Munroe.
Corey Braden posted a driving grand slam on the night’s 11-race card.
Tioga Downs continues live racing on Sunday, July 3 at 6:50 p.m., and will feature fireworks immediately following live racing.
(With files from Tioga Downs)