Saratoga Springs, NY – On Saturday (Feb. 28), Larry Stalbaum’s stable saw one of its members win the Open Pace for the third time on the young season at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Stalbaum’s Blazing Home N prevailed in the featured race for pacers twice early in the month and on Saturday, his Rocknroll Runa A scored as the 8-5 second-choice in the $16,500 Open.
Coming off a mile in which he raced parked, Rocknroll Runa A found an early spot in fourth in Saturday’s feature. The favored He’zzz A Wise Sky (Jacob Cutting) carved out the fractions cruising through a first quarter of :27.1 before posting a half in :56.1.
Stalbaum made his move with Rocknroll Runa A who confronted the leader past three quarters in 1:24.2 before grinding him into submission around the final turn. The 9-year-old recorded his first victory of the year when he stopped the timer in 1:53 holding off a late bid in the stretch from Tenzing Bromac N (Ron Cushing) who finished second in his debut in the local Open. He’zzz A Wise Sky held on to finish third.
Stalbaum owns, trains and drives Rocknroll Runa A who has earned more than $800,000 in his career.
Live racing continues on Sunday (March 1) at Saratoga with a matinee that begins at noon.