Great Lakes track report

MUSKEGON, Mich. - Rockem Sockem, the hottest 3-year-old on the grounds, has been made the early even-money favorite for Saturday evening's $40,000 Dowling Stakes at Great Lakes Downs. A one-mile event, the Dowling has drawn a field of eight Michigan-bred 3-year-old colts and geldings. Rockem Sockem's trainer, Bob Gorham, will saddle three of the entrants.

Rockem Sockem has not been beaten by his contemporaries since winning the Patrick Wood Stakes in September. Since then, he has won five stakes and finished second to the older horses Secret Romeo and Above the Wind. In his last start, the Michigan Breeders' Handicap last month, he beat older rivals by nearly 12 lengths. Terry Houghton will ride Rockem Sockem, who was entered and scratched from last Saturday's West Virginia Derby.

Trainer Ronnie Allen has entered Dorthy's Champ following a handy win in an allowance race last week that produced five starters for this race. Dorthy's Champ has won two of his four starts. Roberto Perez will ride.

Gorham has also entered Heza Mountain Man and Do the Impossible, who will be coupled in the wagering. Heza Mountain Man won the Little Ones a year ago, beating Rockem Sockem, but Rockem Sockem then emerged as the stable star. They each then won a division of the Michigan Futurity. Freddie Mata will ride Heza Mountain Man, and Jimmy Schwartz will ride Do the Impossible, who has won three of his last four, all claiming races.