Northfield: Ocean Rock paces world record mile in Ohio Sires Stakes action

The title of fastest 2-year-old pacing gelding on a half-mile track now belongs to Ocean Rock after a 1:51 1/5 score in the first of three $40,000 Ohio Sires Stakes sections on Saturday at Northfield Park.

Driven by trainer Dan Noble, Ocean Rock got to the front from post one and forced outside challenger Isowantapetrock (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) to back into the three-hole past the 26 1/5 opening quarter. Noble kept up a demanding tempo in the middle-half, going a 54 1/5 half and a 1:22 2/5 three-quarters, but Ocean Rock had more to give, coming home in 28 4/5 to break the previous world record of 1:51 3/5 set last year by Rock Candy and Yankee Boots.

Ocean Rock is a Rockin Amadeus-Ocean Pearl (On The Attack) gelding and is a homebred for Sandra Burnett. This was his fifth win from seven tries, and he has now earned $78,167. He returned $2.20 to win as the 1-9 favorite.

In the next division Elver Hanover (Chris Page) ran his record to a perfect five-for-five, wearing down leader and favorite Can B Perfect (Tyler Smith) from first-over in the lane and prevailing by three-parts of a length in 1:53 2/5. Stanford Court (Wrenn Jr.) came up the passing lane from the pocket for second, with Can B Perfect third.

Ron Burke trains Elver Hanover, a Yankee Cruiser-Edra Hanover (The Panderosa) gelding for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Bridgette Jablonsky, Jason Melillo, and J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby. He has banked $106,500 to go with his unblemished status, and he paid $5.40 to win as the 8-5 second choice.

Gray Dragon (Brett Miller) also won from first-up in the last Ohio Sires Stakes test, stopping the clock in 1:54. Opportune Hanover (Page) did most of the pace-making but had to settle for second, with One Rock (Greg Grismore) back in third.

A Dragon Again-Rock For Glory (Rocknroll Hanover) colt, Gray Dragon is trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. for owner/breeder Emerald Highlands Farm. Gray Dragon made his second appearance in the winner's circle, and he has now pocketed $66,450. The 3-5 choice, he returned $3.20 to win.