The Rockville Centre- $125.000 Purse
BEL- For Two Year Olds Foaled in NY
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
July 18, 2015

There were only four that went to the starting gate for the second running of the Rockville Centre, but if you asked most bettors around the track, they seemed to think that there were only three in the race.  While most seemed to think it was a toss up between Rajivs Poker Face, French Lad, and Mr Prince; Run Hawk Run was mostly an afterthought.  He was made 50/1 in the morning line, and then saw that increase to 54/1.  There is a reason, however, why we actually run these races out on a racetrack and not just in the past performances, and today, Run Hawk Run was much the best, winning by three lengths, and making those who did bet on him have to buy their friends dinner later in the evening.   That said, we put him fourth as well in our picks, but with the caveat that significant improvement was possible given a public work hadn’t been shown since May.  There was some rain in the area, and we did only have a good track to run on, but that didn’t make a difference.  Not when you win by three lengths and pulling away.  Both the trainer, Wild Aces Stables, and jockey, M Franco, are winners of the stake for the first time!  Here is a more in depth look at the race.

1st- 4- Run Hawk Run (54/1)- At the start, M Franco was not that concerned with the early pace, and could see them all in front of him early.   Remained at the pack throughout the turn, but on its swooping exit, M Franco told the Wild Aces Stables entry it was time to make a move, and he positioned him for an outside run.  Once that started, the other three in this race simply had no chance.  He blew by Mr Prince rather easily, and in the final half furlong, the distance between he and the others seemed to be expanding rather quickly.  Run Hawk Run earns a three length win for himself, in a time of 1:11.07 over the good track surface!  He is sired by 2014 KYD winner Laffin to Mia, and with this win, that great champion can finally say that he has a stake winning foal.  He is out of Christmas Cracker, who is by Christmas Snow.  Run Hawk Run was bred in New York by Wild Aces Stables as a first quarter two year old, and he is the only trainer in which he has ever known.  Congratulations to all of the connections!

2nd- 3- Mr Prince (5/2)- B Blanc shot the Diablo Diablo entry out of the gate.   Opened a lead of about two lengths early, while setting the opening quarter in :23.46.  Fought well, with a 47-second half mile, but seemed to tire out late in the stretch.  Fortunately for his trainer, he had put enough daylight between himself and the two behind him earlier in the race so that they would not be able to catch him in time.

3rd- 1- Rajivs Poker Face (7/2)- The Night Rider Stables entry began in the third position, running two to three lengths off the early pace.  Looked to make a move in the stretch, but could not get any considerable advancement.  Mr Prince ran well for most of the stretch, but seemed to be tiring late.   This is where I was most disappointed with Rajivs Poker Face, as we knew Run Hawk Run was gone at this point; he should have been able to get up there for second in my opinion.

4th- 2- French Lad (1/2)- Started well for D J C Racing Stables, but not quite as aggressively as Mr Prince.  He was content to simply stalk that rival early on.  Stayed a length or two back, and at the top of stretch, when it would have been time to run, French Lad had no push forward.  Run Hawk Run went by him too easily to the outside, and from there he just seemed to coast to the line with Rajivs Poker Face.

Track: Good
Time: :23²  :47   :59   1:11

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 3 Paid 56.60

Scratched: None

– NS

Categories: Ungraded