Rock and Glory all the way in City of Edmonton Distaff

EDMONTON, Alberta – Rock and Glory broke sharply, set fast fractions, and was never challenged while winning the $75,000 City of Edmonton Distaff by 3 1/4 lengths at Northlands Park on Friday night. She paid $4.40 as the solid favorite in the 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares that drew eight horses.

With Rico Walcott aboard, Rock and Glory set sprint-like fractions of 22.58 and 45.92 seconds and opened up a six-length lead after going six furlongs in 1:10.68. She was seven lengths in front turning for home and easily held off Truvi, who rallied from midpack to finish second. Optimistic Lulu came from well back to nose out Brady’s Tomboy for third.

Smile Again Theta, who upset Rock and Glory when she won the $60,000 Madamoiselle by 19 1/4 lengths, chased the winner for six furlongs before fading to finish sixth.

It was the third stakes win at the meet for the Robertino Diodoro-trained 7-year-old daughter of Rock Hard Ten.

“She didn’t have a great trip in the Madamoiselle, and Tino told me to put her on the lead,” said Walcott. “I knew she was going fast, but she felt strong, and I had a lot of horse under me the whole time.”

The final time over a track rated fast was 1:45.10.

Rock and Glory is owned by Mercedes Stables LLC.