Just over a month removed from her five and a half length win in the Geers Stakes, Kenneth Jacobs’s Planet Rock ($13.80) proved victorious again at Tioga Downs, sustaining first-over progress and parrying two late-charging two-year-old pacing fillies in a $110,200 New York Sire Stakes event on Friday (September 16) evening.
The daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven and Villa Hanover was forced to abort a leave attempt as Artrageous (Jim Morrill Jr.) led a :26.2 stampede through the first quarter. John Campbell would put Planet Rock in play with a circuit to go, advancing first-over to the clubhouse turn while 3-10 favourite Tequila Monday (David Miller) slipstreamed live cover through middle splits of :57 and 1:24.3. Planet Rock would succeed in duelling down Artrageous off the far turn, but she wasn’t home free upon cornering. Tequila Monday — who drifted to the four-path after fanning off cover — quickly righted the ship and charged boldly, as did Robin J (Mike Simons) after finding room to vacate the pocket. Still, Planet Rock ultimately prevailed, driven out to hold sway by a neck in 1:52.3. Tequila Monday and Robin J finished second and third respectively, while Roaring To Go (Brett Miller) stayed on for fourth.
Linda Toscano trains Planet Rock, who earned her seventh career win in just eight starts.
In the sub-featured $13,500 Open 1 Trot, Dragin The Wagon ($8.10) made every yard a winning one en route to a 1:53.3 triumph. The six-year-old Angus Hall gelding sprinted to the fore to evade a host of leavers to the first turn, and held clear of a belated rally from Prairie Fortune (Jim Meittinis), who emerged off third-over cover to take second. Aaron Byron drove the 31-time winner for owner James Cantelon and trainer Jeff Byron.
An 11-race Closing Night card awaits on Saturday (September 17); first post is slated for 6:30 p.m., with full coverage on the Tioga Downs Racing Network to commence at 6:05 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)