Rockem Sockem locks up Michigan honors

Trainer Bob Gorham and jockey Mary Doser each came away from the biggest day of the Great Lakes Downs meet with three Sire Stakes wins last Saturday. Gorham most likely wrapped up repeat Michigan horse of the year honors for Rockem Sockem, who scored a 13 1/4-length win in his division of the series under jockey Terry Houghton.

"Rockem's done for the season and will be on vacation until next year here," Gorham said Wednesday.

Gorham's other two winners, the 2-year-olds Easy Ellie and Weatherstorm, are also on break as they are not eligible for the remaining stakes races at the meet.

Doser rode both 3-year-old winners, Meadow Vespers and Creative Miss. Meadow Vespers is trained by her main patron, Richard Rettele, while her husband, Scott Sowle, trains Creative Miss.

Soder also won aboard older female Sweetwater Promise for trainer James Jackson.

* Trainer Dave Belknap won consecutive races with half-sisters here Monday evening. M L's Star and Search for a Star are both out of the mare Shuvee Star. M L's Star won the third ($9) and Search for a Star ($13.60) won the fourth, giving Renee Torbit her first win at the meet.

* Racing secretary Allan Plever announced a 10-percent purse increase effective Oct. 18 through the end of the meet Nov. 5.