Mocha On The Rocks overpowered his foes to take the $8,108 featured pace on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Cumberland Fair in Maine.
Dismissed at 10-1, the seven-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance was rushed off the gate and was dropped into the four-hole by driver Heath Campbell. The 9-5 favourite, Forrest Blu (Kevin Switzer Jr.), led the field into a sizzling 27-second opening panel, with Grand Galop Semalu (Andy Harrington) sitting the pocket.
Driver Walter Case Jr. tipped Instant Replay out at the softer :57.2 half-mile marker, which gave some cover to Mocha On The Rocks.
Down the backside with the outer flow stalling, an impatient Drew Campbell pulled Stop Staring three-deep into that 1:26.1 third stanza. With that racing move waning in its intended purpose, the younger Campbell snuck Mocha On The Rocks out on the apex of the turn and swooped the leaders to rally down the stretch and score by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:57. Grand Galop Semalu finished second and Forrest Blu hung on for third.
Trained and co-owned by Valerie Grondin with partners William and Rhoda Underhill, Mocha On The Rocks earned his 15th lifetime win and pushed his career earnings to $105,879. He paid $23 to win.
Kevin Switzer Jr. and Aaron Hall each had driving doubles on the eight-race program, which helped keep the reinsmen at the top of the Cumberland Fair drivers standings. After three cards, Hall leads with six wins, Switzer follows with five and Harrington and Case each have three.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)