68-1 longshot strikes in $220,000 Sam McKee Memorial

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — “The Bomber” struck for a colossal upset when 68-1 shot Rocknroll Runa A (Rock N Roll Heaven) emerged victorious in the $220,000 Sam McKee Memorial, for harness racing open pacers, on Saturday’s (Aug. 3) Hambletonian Day undercard at the Meadowlands.

Trainer Larry Stalbaum, affectionately known as “The Bomber,” told everyone within earshot that Rocknroll Runa A had a big shot heading into the McKee, but it didn’t seem many were paying attention.

Rocknroll Runa A slipped through a narrow opening along the pylons to pull the upset with Mark MacDonald at the lines. The time was a lifetime best 1:47.3 for the 7-year-old gelding, who earned his 32nd win in 87 career starts.

“I told everybody every time I bring him here, he’s got a big shot,” Stalbaum said. “He’s gonna love a big track, even though it looks like he loves a short track. He’s even better on a big track.”

Next time, more folks will be listening.

An upset was in the offing right from the start as 29-1 long shot Ruthless Hanover set a blistering pace though opening fractions of :25.4 and :52.3. That impossible clip seemed made to order for Abuckabett Hanover, the 3-5 favorite. The anticipated rally by the leading free-for-all pacer never materialized as he finished ninth.

That threw the race up for grabs, and it was Rocknroll Runa A who seized the day.

ROCKNROLL RUNA A REPLAY

It was a moving moment for Stalbaum, not only for the victory, but to win the race named for McKee.

“When I first got going, I wound up going to Toledo, and Sam McKee was the announcer there (at Raceway Park),” Stalbaum said. “He’d been a good friend of mine his whole life.”

The race is named in memory of McKee, the “Voice of the Meadowlands,” who passed away in 2017 at the too-soon age of 54.

Back to the race, Rocknroll Runa A, who paid $138.60 to win, prevailed by a neck over 8-1 shot It’s My Show with Ruthless Hanover holding on for third. The 7-year-old gelding is owned by Stalbaum, and was bred by Australian interests K.B. Kennedy and Burns Gotd.lf Pty L.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Mike Farrell, for the Hambletonian Society