The 13th Running of the Plate Trial Stakes
August 1, 2021 13:40
WO Race #2 $150.000 11/8 Dirt
Canadian Bred 3YO 123 Lbs (plus penalties)
Track Record-1:47.13 (Hint Of Mint-2012)
Stakes Record-1:47.96 (Gemini Shadows-2017)
Rockin Rodeo made his barn debut a winning one for Nakamura Stables in the $150.000 Plate Trial Stakes at WO on Sunday. Tracking the pace from the rail, the 3yo gelded son of Taniwha proved to be a smart buy at $165.000 back in May as he went by the front-runner when asked and held off a late challenge while covering the 9-furlongs in 1:49.49 over a WO surface labeled “Good”. With the win, Rockin Rodeo improves his record to 5-2-1-0 for earnings of $114.250 and positions himself for the $1,000.000 Queens Plate later in the season.
Right out of the gate, Crack Stone set off for the front and established a three-length lead. Tracking in 2nd from the rail through a half in :47.57, Rockin Rodeo settled two-lengths in front of Attention To Detail and Kill Miss Farley. Within two-lengths entering the turn, G. Boulanger switched his mount off the rail and started eating into Crack Stone‘s lead.
Exiting the turn, the top two were on even terms and only one horse appeared a danger to either as Cherokee Grey commenced a rally from well back after three-quarters went in 1:11.71. After a mile in 1:36.71, Rockin Rodeo was edging away from Crack Stone, but Cherokee Grey was continuing his run and looking the more dangerous of the two. Cherokee Grey went by Crack Stone, but he would only get within a length of Rockin Rodeo at the wire.
Crack Stone saved third and was followed in order by Python King, Kill Miss Farley, Hint Of Sugar, Doc Cherok, and Attention To Detail. It is probably a certainty that the winner will get into the Queens Plate, but the rest of the runners in here may need a bit of EPR luck to draw into the field.
Congratulations to Rockin Rodeo and Nakamura Stables, the conquerors of the $150.000 Plate Trial Stakes for Canadian-bred sophomores.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
