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Sunday, March 11, 2012

YR - ROCK TO GLORY WINS 33G OPEN HANDICAP PACE

 YONKERS, NY, Saturday, March 10, 2012--Rock to Glory (Eric Goodell), a bridesmaid in his last couple of starts, made it to the altar Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $33,000 Open Handicap Pace.


Rock To Glory (Eric Goodell) wins the Saturday night Open Handicap (Tom Berg Photo)

Leaving from post position No. 5, was away fourth as Foreign Officer (Jordan Stratton) led the octet through intervals of :27.4 and :56.2. Code Word (Tyler Buter), as the 19-10 choice, moved from third going toward the 1:24.1 three-quarters. Rock to Glory was behind that one, though gapping just a bit.


Meanwhile, Foreign Officer tried to finish it off, taking a length-and-a-half lead into the lane. However, the wheels began to wobble late. Code Word was getting to Foreign Officer, but Rock to Glory was getting the memo and getting to Code Word.

Rock to Glory, who owns the season's fastest local mile (1:51.3), was a half-length the best this night in 1:52.3. Code Word snapped second over Foreign Officer, with a last-early Summer Camp (Jason Bartlett) and Wayne the Lefty (Larry Stalbaum) completing the cashers.

For Rock to Glory, a 4-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding owed by Mac Nichol and trained by Casie Coleman, he returned $6.50 (second choice) for his second win in eight seasonal starts. The exacta paid $22, with the triple returning $108.50


Yonkers' five-night-per-week (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday) live schedule continues. First post for all programs remains at 7:10 PM. The 2012 stakes schedule beginning Monday night with the opening round of the Petticoat Pacing Series. Evening simulating accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulating available around the NYRA schedule.