Calder: Evolution Rocks wins stakes debut in Thrillin Discovery Handicap

Evolution Rocks made the most of his stakes debut Saturday, winning the $65,000 Thrillin Discovery Handicap by 2 1/4 lengths in his first start at Calder Race Course.

Ridden for the first time by Edgard Zayas, Evolution Rocks completed the six-furlong distance on a fast track in 1:09.33. He paid $3.20 as the favorite in the field of seven.

Evolution Rocks was tracked by runner-up Dad’z Laugh throughout the race, leading by a length after a quarter-mile in 22.21 seconds and by a half-length after a half-mile in 45.21. Though Dad’z Laugh challenged the leader around the turn, Evolution Rocks spurted away in upper stretch, with Dad’z Laugh finishing 5 1/2 lengths clear of third-place Jay Eye See.

Evolution Rocks has been a part of the exacta in seven consecutive races, with four victories during that span. He entered the race off a second-place finish to Zaikov in a $25,000 optional claimer at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 13 for which he earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure.

A 5-year-old gelding by City Zip, Evolution Rocks has won eight of his 23 starts for $148,110. He’s trained by Jorge Navarro for Jennifer Harries.