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Million dollar winning pacer, Little Rocket Man (Rockin Image), made his 2024 harness racing debut Friday, April 12 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park and the local hero did not disappoint his fans.
Competing in the 13th race $22,000 Louis Gossett, Jr. Memorial, an Open-Handicap Pace, race favorite Little Rocket Man and driver John De Long started from post five and left out of the starting gate, moving into second place as Crooked Smile (Jordan Ross) led the field to the opening quarter mile in :26.1.
With a quarter move, De Long sent Little Rocket Man to the front before the half mile marker in :56, a mild :29.4 quarter. Then on to the backstretch where Spring Inhis Step A (Tyler Smith) moved first-over with Rip Wheeler (Brandon Bates) second-over. Spring Inhis Step A was able to move up to second place on the outside as Little Rocket Man crossed the three-quarters in 1:25.1.
By the top of the stretch, Little Rocket Man was in control of the lead and despite a valiant effort with :26 last quarter, Crooked Smile was unable to collar Little Rocket Man, who won by a half a length in 1:51.2. Yourwishisgranted (Ricky Macomber) was third.
LITTLE ROCKET MAN REPLAY
It was the first start back in 2024 for Little Rocket Man, who is now on a four-race win streak going back to 2023. The eight-year-old gelding is trained by Ken Rucker for owners Russell Beeman and Jack Freeman of Indiana. It was the 55th career win in 99 lifetime starts for Little Rocket Man, who paid $3.20 to win.
“He’s just as good as when they turned him out last fall,” said winning driver John De Long after the race. “Qualifiers don’t excite him anymore but when he’s under the lights he brings his game face. We’re pointing him towards defending his pace baby pace race (Pacey Mindlin Memorial) at MVG.”
Kyle Wilfong led all drivers with five winners on the night.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink
