Meadowlands: Rockyroad Hanover rallies by Perfect Sting in Cane Pace

Rockyroad Hanover and driver Dexter Dunn posted a mild upset in the $276,150 Cane Pace for 3-year-old colts and geldings at the Meadowlands on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 7). The Tony Alagna-trained son of Captaintreacherous rolled past favored Perfect Sting late in the mile to post a 1:48 1/5 career-best clocking.

The Cane had only seven horses, but three of them left the gate with some velocity. Rockyroad Hanover got away quickly, but was looped out of the gate by a hard-charging Always A Miki and Yannick Gingras. American Courage and Matt Kakaley also mounted a wide move through the opening bend, and they seized control at the 26 2/5 opening quarter-mile.

Rockyroad Hanover lost another spot after the quarter as David Miller hustled Perfect Sting to gain control, and that pair marched to a sensible 53 4/5 opening-half over the lightning-fast racing surface.

Dunn pushed the go button with Rockyroad Hanover on a first-over grind past the half, and he towed One Eight Hundred and Summa Cum Laude with him in second- and third-over positions, respectively. Heading to the three-quarters, Messenger Stakes winner American Courage began to tire, ending his Triple Crown hopes as Perfect Sting and Rockyroad Hanover engaged in battle through three-quarters in 1:21 3/5.

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In the homestretch, Rockyroad Hanover was asked to pace, and he responded in game fashion, getting to the favorite and then strolling by him in the shadow of the wire. A final quarter of 26 3/5 was necessary to seal the deal, as Rockyroad Hanover, a 3-1 choice in the wagering, scored the victory. Perfect Sting finished second, with Summa Cum Laude third.

Rockyroad Hanover is owned by Myron and Stephanie Bell's Riverview Racing, Brad Grant, Ken Jacobs, and Plouffe, Head & VJ Stables. It was the fourth win in 11 starts this year for Rockyroad Hanover, who, last Saturday, rallied to finish second in the Adios final at The Meadows after getting jammed up.

"We had a couple of races where he was very unlucky," said Dunn following the victory of Rockyroad Hanover. “Perfect Sting is not an easy horse to get by. At the top of the stretch, I thought I had him, but my horse finished it off."

Rockyroad Hanover was a $65,000 yearling purchase from Hanover Shoe Farms in 2019. He returned $8.80 to win.