Great Lakes track report

The undefeated Foolininthemeadow joins more proven Great Lakes Downs stars Secret Romeo and Rockem Sockem as the headliners on Saturday's Michigan Sire Stakes program. The Sire Stakes, which will be held for the 20th time this weekend, are a series of of six $120,000 races for the progeny of Michigan stallions.

The richest night on the Great Lakes Downs racing calendar, the Sire Stakes drew five full fields of 10, and a field of six in the older filly and mare division.

Veterinarian-trainer Bob Gorham has entered an even dozen, while leading trainer Gerald Bennett put 11 names through the entry box. Bennett and trainer Brenda Hill hold the record for most Sires Stakes victories with eight since the series was moved to Great Lakes Downs in 1999 after Detroit Race Course was shuttered.

Foolininthemeadow, a 2-year-old Meadow Prayer filly, has won three straight races, all going away. Trained by Karl Waters, she will have Mary Doser back in the irons while aiming for her third stakes victory.

The 3-year-old Rockem Sockem has had an excellent meet, but has been off since Aug. 14 following surgery for an entrapped epiglottis. Gorham said Rockem Sockem, the 2003 Michigan juvenile champion, is training well for this race. He has not been beaten by a contemporary this year and has defeated older horses once.

One of the two older runners who have beaten Rockem Sockem is Secret Romeo, who will be running in his fifth Sire Stakes. Trained by Bennett, he won in 2002 as a 4-year-old.