Breeders Crown: Pocket trip pays off for Rocknificent in Open Mare Pace elim

Rocknificent backed up her win in the Allerage Farms Open Mare Pace on October 10 at The Red Mile by taking Saturday afternoon's one $25,000 Breeders Crown Open Mare Pace elimination at the Meadowlands in 1:48 4/5.

Piloted by Scott Zeron, Rocknificent worked out a cozy pocket trip behind Rockin Nola (Joey Putnam) through fractions of 26 2/5, 55, and 1:21 4/5. Meanwhile, Lyons Sentinel (Tim Tetrick), harness racing's top-rated horse in the weekly poll, went first-over out of fifth before the half, but stalled out in fourth on the final bend as the tempo accelerated in that hot 26 4/5 third quarter.

In the lane Zeron tipped Rocknificent off the cones, and she would overtake Rockin Nola in mid-stretch. The race wasn't over, though, as Peaky Sneaky (Dexter Dunn) closed in on Rocknificent's outside, and Lyons Sentinel found her best stride once they straightened up. Rocknificent was unwavering, however, and she hit the wire a neck to the good over Peaky Sneaky, with Lyons Sentinel back in third. Also moving on to the final were JK First Lady (David Miller), Rockin Nola, Keep Rockin A (Andy McCarthy), and Marloe Hanover (Brian Sears).

"She makes my job awful easy. She's the picture of consistency; she's just a sweetheart," said winning trainer Linda Toscano. "It's absolutely amazing that she can leave as many weeks as she does and still come back to him with two fingers. I just wanted Joe's (Putnam) to carry us which he did = it worked out perfectly."

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A 4-year-old Captaintreacherous mare, Rocknificent is trained by Toscano for owners Enviro Stables Ltd., South Mountain Stables, and Little E LLC. She is now a 14-time winner from 45 lifetime tries, she boosted her bankroll to $968,662, and she returned $7.60 to win.

By virtue of her elimination win, Rocknificent drew for posts one through five in the final before the remainder of the field took part in an open draw.

The complete field, with post positions, nominated drivers, and trainers, is as follows:

$330,000 Breeders Crown - Mare Pace
1. Rocknificent (Scott Zeron, Linda Toscano)
2. Peaky Sneaky (Dexter Dunn, Nancy Takter)
3. So Much More (James MacDonald, Don Beatson)
4. Lyons Sentinel (Tim Tetrick, Jim King Jr.)
5. JK First Lady (David Miller, Nancy Takter)
6. Keep Rockin A (Andy McCarthy, Nifty Norman)
7. Racine Bell (Jason Bartlett, David Dewhurst)
8. Rockin Nola (Joey Putnam, Joe Putnam)
9. Marloe Hanover (Brian Sears, Nifty Norman)
10. Drama Act (Chris Page, Ron Burke)
AE1. Treacherous Reign (Bob McClure, Tony Alagna)
AE2. Sweet Lucy Lou (Todd McCarthy, Robert Cleary)

The Breeders Crown Mare Pace final will take place at the Meadowlands on Saturday, Oct. 30.