Aussie import takes Open Pace for third time

Rocknroll Runa A (Rock N Roll Heaven) won the local Open Pace for the third time this season at Saratoga Raceway when on Saturday (Dec. 3) evening, the Larry Stalbaum trainee overcame post position eight to record the harness racing victory in the $15,000 feature.

The well-traveled Rocknroll Runa A came into the race with more than $216,000 in earnings on the year by way of eleven wins and dominated the competition despite getting a first-over trip in his return to town.

Young reinsman Matt Athearn piloted the Stalbaum trainee who overpowered the front-runner in the race before opening up an insurmountable lead past the three-quarter pole.

Rocknroll Runa A stopped the timer in 1:53.1 on a chilly December evening. Vintage Cheddar N (Brett Beckwith) was making his first start in over five weeks when he came charging hard to be a solid, albeit well-beaten, second in the feature. Islandspecialmajor (Jay Randall) earned the show spot.

ROCKNROLL RUNA A REPLAY

Rocknroll Runa A was the 4-5 betting favorite despite having started from post eight in what was his twelfth win of the season. The victory served as the third in Opens at Saratoga in less than two weeks for the Stalbaum stable whose Big Box Hanover and Magical Maya A scored wins in the Open Trot and Fillies and Mares Open, respectively.

Stalbaum owns the Aussie invader Rocknroll Runa A who has enjoyed a sensational first season in the U.S. He paid $3.80 to win as the race favorite.

Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga with a first post set for noon.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway