Freshman fillies were on display in two $157,750 Countess Adios on Thursday night at the Meadowlands, with one having Hall Of Fame horsehoes to fill
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Rock N Soul got up in the final strides to take the first of two divisions. With driver George Brennan at the lines, Rock N Soul [$29.80, $13.40, $10.80] sat fourth on the rail, angled out at the top of the stretch and made a late rally to take the sixth race of the night in 1:53.4. Fraction setting Its De Lovely [$6.40, $4.00] finished 2-lengths behind for second and By Your Side [$7.80] finished third.
“I tried not to rough her up too hard,” Brennan said after the race. “It couldn’t have worked out any better. She paced home real hard. They are no brainers, the Rocknrolls.”
This is the first win in two lifetimes starts for the daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Artchitecture. Mark Harder trains and co-owns Rock N Soul - a $32,000 yearling - along with Sibling Stable and Stable 45.
BJs Canouan moved to the lead right before the half and held off the late rally of the pocket sitting Western Moonlight [$6.20, $3.00, $2.60] to score the second division of the Countess Adios [$3.60, $2.80] in 1:54. Shes On The Level finished [$10.40] third. Brian Sears drove the Ross Croghan trainee.
Owned by Brian Nixon, the daughter of Western Ideal was a $95,000 yearling purchase and comes from one of the best pacing families in harness racing. Her dam, Rich N Elegant will be inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame later this month.
In earlier action, two-year-old Woodstock made his debut a winning one by virtue of a 1:53 score for trainer Noel Daley and driver Tim Tetrick. Eligible to this year's Metro Pace, the son of Rocknroll Hanover is out of a full sister to the legendary Artsplace. The $100,000 yearling purchase is owned by Brittany Farms, Adam Victor And Son Stable, Melvin Hartman, and Island View Partners.
For results, click here.
(with files from the NJSEA)