Powerful four year
old lowers the national seasons mark
There have not been
many horses, if any, better than Rockeyed Optimist this year. After the second
round of the Clyde Hirt series on Saturday at The Meadowlands, there now has
not been any horse faster than Rockeyed Optimist this year, as he won this round
of the Clyde Hirt in a spectacular 1:48.3.
Doctor Butch had paced the fastest mile of 2015 prior to Saturday, with
a time of 1:48.4 in a Meadowlands Free For All.
Rockeyed Optimist,
a 1/9 favorite would not lead this field throughout, instead resorting to
stalking tactics. The early lead
belonged to a keyed up Rock Out, who sailed through strong fractions of 26.2
and 54.4 before receiving a challenge from the previously pocket sitting
Caviart Luca, who pulled pocket around the far turn and pulled alongside Rock
Out through three-quarters of 1:22.2.
While the duel intensified nearing the top of the stretch, Rockeyed
Optimist continued to stalk the leaders from third. In mid-stretch, Tim Tetrick
guided Rockeyed Optimist to the crown of the racetrack where he flew past the
dueling leaders to win emphatically for the sixth time in seven tries this
season. The final time of 1:48.3 was a
lifetime mark for the winner.
Caviart Luca went a
good mile to be second with Lord Of Misrule rallying a bit for third.
Rockeyed Optimist
is owned by Anthony Perretti, Virginia Berkner, A And B Stable and Joseph
Battaglia and is trained by Steve Elliot.
The Clyde Hirt
Final will be contested on Saturday, March 28th.
Andy Miller scored
a driving triple, while John Campbell and Corey Callahan each won a pair of
races.
The fifth race
Jackpot Super Hi-5 went unclaimed, the carryover into the Friday, March 27th
program is $58,578.20. The last race
will also carryover, with $7,270.06 already in the pool for Friday.
