Frank's Rockette tries to squash rivals in Pumpkin Pie

Frank’s Rockette drew what might prove to be an ideal post Sunday for the $135,000 Pumpkin Pie at Aqueduct.

The millionaire racemare will start from post 4 in the field of five for the seven-furlong race for fillies and mares. It’s the first of three stakes on a card that also features 2-year-olds in the $150,000 Nashua and $150,000 Tempted.

Frank’s Rockette, who is the class of the field as an earner of $1.4 million, has natural speed and finds herself situated outside of the other speed in the race. Kant Hurry Love has drawn the rail, while the fresh Green Up breaks from post 3.

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“We definitely like post 4,” said Kathy Moore, racing manager for Frank Fletcher, the breeder and owner of Frank’s Rockette. “We’ll be able to lay off the speed if we choose to. We won’t be forced to go if we were on the inside.”

Bill Mott trains Frank’s Rockette, who is moving back to one turn after racing around two last out in the $250,000 Pink Ribbon, a seven-furlong race Aug. 26 at Charles Town. She was second to Society, who was to have run back Saturday in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. One start prior, Frank’s Rockette was third to champion Echo Zulu in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss at Saratoga. Earlier in the year, Frank’s Rockette won the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie at Gulfstream Park and the Roxelana at Churchill Downs.

“The mare has been so special,” said Moore, a retired jockey. “It’s always personal when she runs.”

Moore’s late husband, Tom Howard, trained Frank’s Rockette’s dam, Grade 3 winner Rocket Twentyone, for Fletcher.

Frank’s Rockette, who is by Into Mischief, has won a total of five graded stakes races. The 6-year-old is 12 for 29 overall.

Frank’s Rockette could be making the final start of her career Sunday.

“I’m 90 percent sure this is her last race,” Fletcher said. “She’s going into being a mom the first of the year, so we’re sure hoping to close out her career with a win.

“She’s been our best horse for many years. She’s so consistent, runs every time.”

Junior Alvarado has the mount on Frank’s Rockette.

Kant Hurry Love comes off a runner-up finish in the Union Avenue at Saratoga. She pushed a hot pace in the six-furlong race run Aug. 11. Trevor McCarthy has the mount for trainer David Duggan.

Green Up, who last year won four straight races at distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile and 70 yards, is making her first start since April. She was prominent last out when finishing third in the Grade 3 Doubledogdare at Keeneland. John Velazquez has the mount for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Royal Meghan, who has some natural speed, will break from post 2. She was just edged last out in a $40,000 claiming sprint over six furlongs Oct. 27 at Aqueduct. The out was her first since May, and she would seem to have reason to move forward Sunday.

Into Happiness is a closer who can take advantage if the pace gets too hot in the Pumpkin Pie. She is a winner of three of her last four starts, all while climbing the class ladder. The daughter of Into Mischief won over seven furlongs in a $50,000 starter allowance July 13 at Saratoga. Into Happiness will break from post 5.

The Pumpkin Pie is scheduled as the second race Sunday.

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