Ocean Rock paced to a new world record clocking of 1:51.1 in the first of three $40,000 Ohio Sires Stakes contests at Northfield Park. The son of Rockin Amadeus established the new mark for two-year-old gelding pacers on a half-mile track.
Driven smartly by trainer Dan Noble, Ocean Rock grabbed the lead at the start of the mile test and never looked back, pacing easily through panels of :26.1, :54.1 and 1:22.2 before posting a :28.4 final panel to prevail by five and a half lengths over 8-1 Rockntheafterparty (who was driven by Kyle Ater) with 7-1 Isowantapetrock (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) nabbing third place honours.
The win was the fifth in six tries for Ocean Rock, who was bred and is owned by Sandra Burnett. The speedy youngster now has $78,167 in career earnings. He is the first foal out of the On The Attack mare Ocean Pearl, p, 5, 1:53.2f ($143,637).
The second sires stakes division was won by divisional leader Elver Hanover, the 8-5 choice, and driver Chris Page, who was steering the youngster for trainer Ron Burke and partners B. Jacblonsky, J. Melillo and J&T Silva-Purnel-Libby.
Ocean Rock, pictured at the wire during his world record victory at Northfield Park on August 24, 2019.
Elver Hanover, who was timed in 1:53.2, completed his sweep of all four sires stakes legs. He is currently placed in the top spot in the sires stakes standings.
The son of Yankee Cruiser-Edra Hanover was sent off as the 8-5 favourite in the tilt. He was slow getting into the mix initially, but then pulled first over at the three-quarters before pacing home in a brisk :26.2. He finished a half-length in front of 6-1 Standford Court (Wrenn Jr.). Can B Perfect (Tyler Smith) was third at 3-5 odds.
Elver Hanover is now five for five lifetime and has $106,500 in his career bankroll for his connections.
Finally, it was the 3-5 homebred Gray Dragon that capture the third sires stakes division handily in 1:54 for driver Brett Miller and trainer Virgil Morgan Jr.
The grey colt, by Dragon Again-Rock For Glory, is owned and was bred by Emerald Highlands Farm. He raced for most of the mile parked on the outside of the leading 5-2 Opportune Hanover (Chris Page) and nudged by his rival in the late going to win by three quarters of a length. Third place went to 9-1 One Rock (Greg Grismore).
The win was the second career victory for Gray Dragon, who now has $66,460 in career earnings from two wins and two seconds in five starts.
The following eight two-year-old pacing colts are now eligible to participate in the $300,000 finals set for Ohio Super Night, September 1, at Northfield Park. They are: Elver Hanover (204 points); Gray Dragon (137 points); Rockntheafterparty (116 points); Opportune Hanover (109 points); Ocean Rock (103 points); Can Be Perfect (90 points); Rock Smart (84 points); and Mr Ds Rock (74 points).
(Ohio Sires Stakes)