Repo Rocks, Jockey Wolfsont become graded stakes winners in Toboggan
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Repo Rocks and his jockey Andrew Wolfsont both became graded stakes winners for the first time Saturday, dominating the Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan Stakes at Aqueduct by 8 1/2 lengths.
Sitting an up-close third under Wolfsont down the backstretch, Repo Rocks tipped three wide approaching the quarter pole, took command leaving the three-sixteenths pole, and drew away for the emphatic score.
Little Vic, who lay second early just off of Pirate Rick, finished second, 1 1/4 lengths clear of Drafted, who defeated Repo Rocks in last year’s Toboggan. Pirate Rick, coming back six days after a big allowance win here, finished fourth, followed in the order of finish by Three Two Zone, Synthesis, and Milton the Monster. Double Crown and Wendell Fong both scratched.
Repo Rocks, a 6-year-old gelding by Tapiture, won for the seventh time in 32 starts. He is 3 for 3 since being moved to the barn of Jamie Ness by the owners, Double B Racing Stables, of which Stephen Fox is the managing partner.
It was the first graded victory for Repo Rocks, who had finished second or third in a trio of graded races for trainers Greg DiPrima and Juan Vazquez in 2022. He had gone badly off form last October before the transfer to Ness.
Wolfsont, who had ridden the horse a few times before Ness got him, said the horse has gotten a lot better out of the gate in his most recent outings.
“I think since Jamie Ness has had him - this start and last start - he’s been sharp out of the gate and that’s helped,” said Wolfsont, who had ridden in only three previous graded stakes. “He’s obviously finished strong as well.”
Wolfsont said when he guided Repo Rocks to the outside, he thought he may have moved too soon.
“As soon as I showed him daylight he just took off,” Wolfsont said. “I felt like I moved too soon but he had so much horse and finished well.”
Repo Rocks covered the seven furlongs in 1:23.42, and earned a huge Beyer Speed Figure of 111. He returned $22.40 as the second-longest shot on the board.
Ness, who watched the race from his home in Chesapeake City, Md., said he was looking forward to stretching the horse out to this seven-furlong distance and beyond.
“That last furlong he got stronger and stronger,” said Ness, who also won a starter allowance on Saturday’s card with Glowsity. “Surprised that it was that easy of a win, but he ran today the way he had been training.”
Ness indicated a race like the $125,000 Stymie Stakes going a one-turn mile here on Feb. 25 could be a next start for Repo Rocks.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.