Rock Fall extends win streak to seven by taking Vosburgh

ELMONT, N.Y. - Rock Fall scored his second gritty victory in a row to take the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont Park on Saturday.

The Vosburgh, a Win and You're In for the Breeders' Cup Sprint, was Rock Fall's seventh consecutive win. He has not been beaten since he finished eighth in his career debut in April 2014.

The first five wins of Rock Fall's streak were relatively easy. He won his maiden, three allowance or optional-claiming races, and the Grade 2 True North in June by open margins.

But Rock Fall had to dig deep to defeat The Big Beast by a nose in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt at Saratoga, and he had to come on again after being headed by Stallwalkin' Dude in the Vosburgh.

Rock Fall, ridden by Javier Castellano, settled into nice early position in the six-furlong race just off the dueling leaders, Wildcat Red and Weekend Hideaway. He moved up to challenge three wide nearing the stretch but Stallwalkin' Dude launched a strong, outside move to put a head in front.

Rock Fall had to battle back to take the lead, then held off a late move from Salutos Amigos to win by a neck. It was a head back to Stallwalkin' Dude in third. David Jacbson trains both Salutos Amigos and Stallwalkin' Dude.

Palace, never far back, finished a willing fourth, a half-length behind Stallwalkin' Dude.

The $240,000 winner's share of the $400,000 purse put Todd Pletcher past the $300 million mark in career earnings. He is the first trainer in North American history to reach the milestone.

Rock Fall paid $2.80 to win in the seven-horse field. He was timed in 1:08.70. The early fractions were 22.23 seconds, 45.21, and 56.61.

Rock Fall will head to the $1.5 million Breeders' Cup Sprint as one of the race favorites.

"He has a lot of fight," Pletcher said. "In the mornings he can be a little idle, but you just have confidence that come game time he'll show up."