$2.25 million
earner to make 2015 debut Friday, April 10 at the Meadowlands
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (April
8, 2015) – Champion mare Rocklamation
will delay motherhood and race another year, said her trainer Ron Burke. This
announcement comes after it was originally planned for her to race while in
foal until August.
“The owners have decided to
abandon her breeding plans and race her the entire year,” said Burke of the
daughter of Rocknroll Hanover that has earned more than $2.25 million. “I’m
very happy about that decision.”
Rocklamation begins her
seven-year-old season Friday (April 10) at the Meadowlands in the $27,500 Mares
Open Handicap. She faces just five other rivals including the razor sharp Radar
Contact, who won last week’s Open with an eye-popping 25.3 final quarter of a
mile.
“With the short field, there
probably won’t be a lot of movement,” said Burke. “It’ll probably turn into a
sprint and we’ll likely be sprinting home from sixth.”
Rocklamation is owned in
partnership by Our Horse Cents Stable, Stable 45, and J&T Silva Stables.
Last year, she was named the Dan Patch co-champion pacing mare despite battling
soundness issues throughout the season. She scored her biggest wins in the
Golden Girls, Lady Liberty, and Artiscape. Burke believes the issues developed
following the demanding Blue Chip Matchmaker, which is why he skipped the
series this year.
“Whatever issues she had last
year have seemed to resolve themselves and as long as she stays sound we plan
to race a full schedule,” explained Burke. “Hopefully, we’ve learned how to
manage her better. You can call this year her retirement tour because she will
definitely be retired and bred next year.”
Friday’s 12-race card also
includes a $27,500 Open Trot. Melady’s Monet is the 6-5 morning line favorite
versus five other rivals.
There is also a carryover of
$71,506 in the Jackpot Super High 5 in race five and $35,827 in the race 12
Jackpot Super High 5.
Post time is 7:15 p.m.
