Big bounce back for Rockapelo

After two straight Open losses, Rockapelo found his form again on Monday at Yonkers Raceway with a gutsy win in the harness racing $45,000 Open Handicap Pace.

The Rock N Roll Heaven gelding won early leadership as he blazed through the opening quarter mile in :26.3. George Brennan applied the brakes on him for a :56.1 half, but a first-over approach from Fine Diamond (Brent Holland) forced a quicker third panel.

Fine Diamond dialed in the leader as they passed three-quarters in 1:24.2, but Rockapelo produced a second wind to hold off that challenger and three other late-charging foes for a 1:52.2 victory. Jack’s Legend N (Jason Bartlett) rocketed home from second last to earn place; Pyro (Daniel Dube) finished third after a pocket trip.

ROCKAPELO REPLAY

Rockapelo paid $9.10 in the win, his sixth of the season. The six-year-old Ron Burke trainee has won 22 of his 88 career starts and has now earned more than $650,000 lifetime. Burke co-owns via his Fredericktown-based Burke Racing Stable LLC with Weaver Bruscemi LLC of Canonsburg and Phillip Collura of Mountain Top.

Bartlett found the greatest success in the sulky of all drivers with five wins on the 12-race card.

Racing returns to Yonkers Raceway on Tuesday, Jul. 20. The program consists of another 12 dashes and will start at 7:15 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink