Meadowlands: Rocknroll Runa registers the upset in Sam McKee Memorial

It was bombs away in the $220,000 Sam McKee Memorial for free-for-all pacers on Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands as 68-1 shot Rocknroll Runa, an Australian-bred, rode the rail and rallied in the stretch to win in 1:47 3/5.

Ruthless Hanover (Andy Miller) went on a speed mission from post nine in the event, as he made front past It's My Show (Scott Zeron) after the 25 4/5 quarter and kept the hammer down to a 52 3/5 half and a 1:20 1/5 three-quarters. Backstreet Shadow (Tim Tetrick) and Rockroll Runa (Mark MacDonald) followed them on the inside, which forced Allywag Hanover (Todd McCarthy), who tucked in fifth from post eight, first-over, and he stalled on the final bend, sending 3-5 favorite Abuckabett Hanover (Dexter Dunn) three-wide passing three-quarters.

In the stretch the stalkers and closers swarmed in on Ruthless Hanover, and it looked like for much of the drive that It's My Show was going to be the victor as he had pace off the pocket ride, but Rocknroll Runa had an even better kick after sticking to the pylons, and Rocknroll Runa hit the wire a neck in front of It's My Show. Ruthless Hanover held third in a game performance, and Ken Hanover (David Miller) finished well from third-over to get fourth. Pleaseletmeknow (James MacDonald) collected fifth. Abuckabett Hanover never fired and wound up ninth.

"I was driving a longshot, so I was trying to be patient and I just got lucky," remarked MacDonald.

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A 7-year-old gelding by Rock N Roll Heaven, Rocknroll Runa is owned by trainer Larry Stalbaum. Bred in Australia by Kenndy and Burns Golf Pty Ltd., Rocknroll Runa won for the 32nd time, has put away $585,729 and paid $138.60 to win.

"I tell everybody every time I bring him here he's got a big shot. Even though it looks like he likes a short track, he's even better on a big track," said Stalbaum after the race. "He comes off a helmet so hard when you keep him covered up like Mark did today. He's just a phenomenal old horse.

"I was pretty nervous. I thought he'd never get out. I saw (Backstreet Shadow) was done around the turn, but when the horse that was first-up started [fading], I said 'we've got room up the rail if it just opens clear.'"

Stalbaum also recalled knowing Sam McKee well as both were from Michigan and cut their teeth at Raceway Park in Toledo, Ohio.

"When I first got going I ended up going to Toledo. Sam McKee was the announcer there. I became great friends with him and Jay Cross. When I first moved out here 20 some years ago, when I first came here, he saw me and said 'we'll try and change your image a little bit.'"