Rock'n U S A goes the distance at Assiniboia

Rock'n U S A, who was Manitoba's champion sprinter last year, emerged as a bona fide distance runner with a 1 1/2-length victory in the $75,000 Gold Cup at Asssiniboia Downs on Saturday night.

Trained by Tanya Lindsay and ridden by Alan Cuthbertson, Rock'n U S A, dueled throughout the opening six furlongs before opening up into the stretch and holding sway in the 1 1/8-mile Gold Cup for 3-year-olds and upward.

No Reply closed for second money while Brinello, who had disputed the pace with Rock'n U S A, held well to finish another 1 1/4 lengths back in third.

Monsoon Rain, last year's Gold Cup winner and horse of the year in Manitoba, ended last in the field of nine.

* Saturday's supporting feature, the $50,000 Winnipeg Futurity, went to Canterbury shipper Ruby's Big Band, who scored her third win in as many starts here for trainer Charlie Smith.

Honorable Lady completed a one-two finish for fillies in the Winnipeg Futurity, a six-furlong race for 2-year-olds.