YONKERS, NY, Wednesday, November 7, 2012--Pet Rock, already with a Yonkers
Raceway stakes-record performance on the resume, was made the early favorite
for his return to Westchester for Saturday night's $415,820 Messenger Stakes.
The final jewel of the Pacing Triple Crown goes as the eighth race
on the 13-race wagering card (first post 7:10 PM, approximate stakes post time
9:35 PM).
Eight 3-year-old olds--seven colts and one gelding--are set to the contest the
Messenger Stakes, with that early, 3-1 endorsement going to Pet Rock. The son
of 2005 Harness Horse of the Year Rocknroll Hanover was done no favors by the
draw, which landed him in penultimate post position No. 7.
George Brennan, Yonkers' runaway driving leader for the second consecutive
season, takes a first-time seat behind Pet Rock for owner Frank Bellino of
nearby Bronxville, NY, and trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. Owner Bellino won this
event two seasons ago with eventual 2010 Horse of the Year, Rock N Roll Heaven.
Pet Rock enters the Messenger with seven wins, four seconds and four thirds in
18 seasonal starts ($690,563). He sandwiched a pair of Woodbine Preferred
wins--the former in a life-best 1:50--around a seventh-place effort in his elim
for the Breeders Crown.
However, it was his affection for this oval which made him the morning-line
favorite (in the opinion of yours truly). Pet Rock won--with Brian Sears
driving--June's $306,204 Art Rooney Pace in 1:51, a stakes record as well as a
new track standard for his age group.
While the draw deities did Pet rock no favors, they did wonders for the winless
Hillbilly Hanover. The lone (Dragon Again) gelding in the group may be 0-for-19
on 2012, but figures to get his share of parimutuel pals who appreciate his
pole position and Lexington line (missing a head to Sweet Lou in the
Tattersalls).
Jim Morrill Jr. does the honors for trainer Ron Burke, who co-owns with Weaver
Bruscemi, Frank Baldachino and Lawrence Karr. Hillbilly Hanover, the 4-1 early
second choice, has earned more money this season ($236,503) than any winless
horse.
Meadowlands Pace winner A Rocknroll Dance (Dave Miller, post 3) and Adios
world-record champ (as well as Rooney runner-up) Bolt the Duer (Mark MacDonald,
post 5) are both listed as 5-1. The field also includes a quartet of New
York-breds, led by sire stakes champ Major Bombay (Sears, post 6).
The draw, with drivers (after changes) and morning-line odds…1-Hillbilly
Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr., 4-1), 2-Domethatagain (Brent Holland, 10-1), 3-A
Rocknroll Dance (Dave Miller, 5-1), 4-Lawgiver Hanover (Eric Goodell, 12-1),
5-Bolt the Duer (Mark MacDonald, 5-1), 6-Major Bombay (Brian Sears, 6-1), 7-Pet
Rock (George Brennan, 3-1), 8-Steelhead Hanover (Jason Bartlett, 15-1).
The stakes companion event, the $229,440 Lady Maud Pace for 3-year-old fillies,
goes as the sixth race (approximate post time 8:55 PM). The ladies look like
this...1-Bettor B Lucky (Morrill Jr., 6-1), 2-Handsoffmycookie (Miller, 5-1),
3-Ramalama (Bartlett, 15-1), 4-Economy Terror (Goodell, 3-1), 5-Major Look
(Brennan, 6-1), 6-Romantic Moment (Sears, 8-5), 7-Rockaround Sue (MacDonald,
12-1).
Romantic Moment, a daughter of American Ideal trained by Jimmy Takter for
Brittany Farms, is the New York Sire Stakes champ and 3-for-3 here this season.
