Great Lakes: 'Rockem' rematch

MUSKEGON, Mich. - The Wolverine Stakes offers a rematch between the old pro Secret Romeo and Rockem Sockem, the top 3-year-old at the track. The $40,000 Wolverine, run at six furlongs, is for Michigan-bred colts and geldings, 3-year-olds and up. It is the eighth race on the 6:30 p.m. card.

Rockem Sockem, a Michigan champion at 2 last season, electrified the crowd with a 16 1/2-length win two weeks ago over his contemporaries in the Lansing Stakes. In his other start at this meet, Rockem Sockem was second to Secret Romeo, the best runner ever developed at this western Michigan oval.

Owned by Henry Mast, Rockem Sockem is trained by Bob Gorham and will be ridden by Terry Houghton. Rockem Sockem will carry 116 pounds.

Secret Romeo, who will carry 121 pounds, was second in the Wolverine last year after winning it in 2002, one of his 14 wins over this track. Last month, Secret Romeo was third in the Waterford Park Handicap at Mountaineer Park. He followed that race with a second in allowance company there May 31.

Bobby Lester gets the mount from leading trainer Gerald Bennett, who trains Secret Romeo for Anthony Catenacci. Secret Romeo is cross-entered in the Isi Newborn Stakes at Thistledown Saturday.

Trainer Ronnie Allen has entered Above the Wind, the highweight at 124 pounds, for the Hamco Group LLC. Above the Wind had three consecutive wins at Tampa Bay Downs this winter, including the Pelican and the Super Stakes. Leading rider Freddie Mata will be in the irons.