Mohawk: A Rocknroll Dance prevails in epic Canadian Pacing Derby stretch duel

A Rocknroll Dance got his nose in front after an epic stretch duel with Clear Vision to capture the $651,000 Canadian Pacing Derby Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack. The four-year-old by Rocknroll Hanover equaled the track record and established a new stakes mark of 1:47 2/5 in Canada’s oldest stakes race.

Driver Tim Tetrick got away in fourth as Pet Rock blasted from the outside to clear Bolt The Duer through a :26 2/5 opening quarter. When Sweet Lou made a break approaching the quarter Bolt The Duer regained the front as the post-time favorite. Driver Mark MacDonald wanted a pocket trip and he had no trouble yielding to A Rocknroll Dance before the half timed in a solid :53 4/5.

From that point on it became a two-horse battle as Brett Miller, behind Clear Vision, began a first over assault at the half and quickly got up to the leader. Clear Vision and A Rocknroll Dance were on even terms pacing three quarters in 1:20 4/5.

In the early stretch Clear Vision, a seven-year-old, seemed to be getting the better of A Rocknroll Dance to his inside. Both drivers urged their horses on and both responded brilliantly through the length of the stretch.

At the wire A Rockrnoll Dance surged forward to put his nose just in front of Clear Vision.

Sent off as the 2-1 second choice, A Rocknroll Dance won for the third straight time this season, his fifth score in 12 seasonal starts. “He (Clear Vision) had me by a good head and my horse fought back,” commented Tetrick. “Give the Mulinix team all the credit for having him on his toes,” Tetrick added following the race, showing respect for winning trainer Jim Mulinix. “The horse just knows how to get the job done.”

The victory boosted A Rocknroll Dance’s seasonal earnings to $465,950 for the A Rocknroll Stable.

Foiled Again, last year’s Canadian Pacing Derby champion, followed Clear Vision the final half and finished third with Pet Rock, the early leader, rallying back for fourth.

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