by Lynne Snierson, publicity director, Rockingham Park

Salem, NH — Shagon Again proved that she is New England’s top 3-year-old pacing filly on Sunday (July 1) at Rockingham Park by besting a talented field of eight in the $20,000 Belle Acton Final.

Content to sit off the comfortable pace up the backside and into the turn, driver and trainer Brewer Adams knew that the 5-2 co-second choice had yet to do her best racing.

“The race set up really good,” he said. “The pace was slow and I picked up cover on the backside when (David Ingraham’s) horse went first-over. I thought Dave’s horse (Mom’s Sweet Dreams) was the one to beat. Then when I asked her in the lane, she really responded.”

Shagon Again, who was in fourth position as the field came around the far turn, closed steadily through the stretch to nip Goddard’s Art, the other 5-2 choice, at the wire and win by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.3 on a fast track. Mom’s Sweet Dreams, the 8-5 favorite, rounded out the trifecta.

Shagon Again, a daughter of Dragon Again and the Cam’s Card Shark mare She’s The Shuffler, was unraced as a 2-year-old and this was only her sixth career start. Of those six races, she has now won two for owners Michelle and Reuben King of Smyrna, Delaware.

“We’re going to take her home to Delaware,” Michelle King said. “There’s a little late closer at Chester in about two weeks. Until then, she’ll be with us and have some paddock time. She’ll get lots of carrots and sugar cubes. She’s a really nice horse with an awfully sweet personality.”

Also on Sunday, drivers Jonathan Roberts and Sean Bier each won three races on the 10-race card and three of those victories were with horses who have now won three straight races at The Rock. Roberts drove Awesome Glow and Skip Bo Rhule to their third consecutive wins while Bier was partnered with Little Man Evan for his third straight strike over this racing strip.

Live racing resumes on Wednesday with a Fourth of July holiday card. As part of one of Rockingham’s three Coca-Cola days, everyone coming to the races will be eligible to register to win an Ipod from Coke. Post time is 1:05 p.m. On the Fourth, Texas Hold ‘Em poker, full card thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound simulcasting, and charitable bingo will also be available.