Western Fair: Track record effort by Rockin Ron in Camluck Classic Invitational

Rockin Ron routed his seven rivals in the C$150,000 Camluck Classic Invitational on Saturday night at The Raceway at Western Fair District in London, Ontario, pacing to a new track record of 1:50 1/5.

Driven by Louis-Philippe Roy, Rockin Ron made front in the first turn and led through comfortable opening-half panels of 27 1/5 and 55 1/5. Rockin Ron broke contact with pocket-sitter Evenin Of Pleasure (Joe Bongiorno) heading to the 1:23 1/5 three-quarters, and Rockin Ron was all alone at the wire, winning by eight lengths. Evenin Of Pleasure wound up second, with Easy Lover Hanover (Doug McNair) third after a first-over try that never threatened the eventual winner. Killer Martini (Scott Coulter) was up for fourth, and Bit Of A Legend N (Jordan Stratton) was a second-over fifth.

"Going into the race I knew that Trevor (Henry, Sunfire Blue Chip) was going to try and leave from the inside, and I knew that Evenin Of Pleasure is a fast leaver too, but getting into the first turn when I saw there was a big hole behind me, I tried to get Joe in the two-hole so I didn't have to re-move," said Roy. "Sometimes you use more of your horse when you try to re-move. After it was just on cruise control. Even at the wire it was still like he was coming here for the first half. He was going to be good for one more lap."

A 6-year-old gelding by Real Desire, Rockin Ron is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Rtc Stables Inc., and J And T Silva Stables LLC. This was Rockin Ron's 33rd career victory, and he has now earned C$1,308,483. He was the 8-5 favorite and paid $5.50 to win.

The undercard featured two Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series events for 3-year-old filly pacers, worth C$94,000 and C$94,800, and they were won by Percy Bluechip (Sylvain Filion/Dr. Ian Moore) in 1:54 3/5 and Big Thong (James MacDonald/Scott McEneny) in 1:55 2/5.