by Lynne Snierson, publicity director, Rockingham Park

Salem, NH — Armbro Barrister showed his grit and guts as he came from off the pace to break his own track record and take the $50,000 final of the Joseph Carney Memorial Trot at Rockingham Park on Sunday, September 2.

The 6-year-old horse, who was driven by Michael Eaton, made up almost four lengths in deep stretch to gun down pacesetters Slim Down and Earl’s Charm K and win by a head in 1:55. His final time took two ticks off the New England and Rockingham records for older stallions that he and Eaton set one week ago in his $15,000 elimination race.

“There is no doubt that there was some tough competition in this field, but he’s a very professional racehorse,” said assistant trainer Paul Doherty, who accepted the trophy for owners Ray Schnittker, Kelk’s Inc. and Earl Scheelar of New York from James Carney. “Halfway down the lane, he had a ways to go but I was confident because this horse doesn’t quit. He’s got an awful lot of heart. It was very nice to not only win, but also break his own record.”

Armbro Barrister, sent off in the field of eight from the number seven post as the 5-1 third choice, trotted comfortably as Eaton allowed 6-1 Slim Down and 3-5 favorite Earl’s Charm K to battle on the front end while they set quick fractions of :27.2, :56.2 and 1:25.2 on a fast track. Then when Eaton asked him, Armbro Barrister had the answer and gave the 20-year veteran of the New England circuit the biggest win of his career.

“At the start, I wasn’t sure if I should leave or not, so I took him back and waited for the dust to settle,” said Eaton. “The favorites were ahead of me and the one horse (Earl’s Charm K) gave me good cover. In the stretch, there was a four-way fight and I still had good cover. He really responded and dug down when it counted. It sure is nice to have this horse break his own record from a week ago, and I appreciate the drive.”

Said Doherty, who filled in for trainer Schnittker, “After last week’s race we had every confidence in Mike, and Mike drove him super. This is an all-around good horse and he can race from the front or from behind. Being on the outside post gave him the option to come from behind when things worked out that way.”

Armbro Barrister returned $13.60, $5.80, and $3.60 while Slim Down and Earl’s Charm K held on for second and third, respectively.

The highly regarded Rickie got into trouble early in the race and broke stride in the first turn, effectively ending any chance he had to reward the bettors who had made him the 9-2 second choice.

Armbro Barrister, a son of Malabar Man, out of the Balanced Image mare Armbro Rocker, upped his lifetime earnings to $533,419 with the winner’s share of the purse and has now been victorious in nine of his 23 starts this year. He’ll head back to New York to be campaigned this fall against some of the top trotters.

“He’s a very versatile horse and that gives us a lot of options,” said Doherty. “He could compete on a half-mile track, a five-eighths, or a mile track. He’s good on all of them. Plus, he’s a good shipper so we can travel. He’s already got a lot of road miles, and we’ve got a lot of options.”

Also on Sunday, Jonathan Roberts wrapped up the race for leading driver by maintaining a five-win advantage over David Ingraham, who had taken the honors here in both 2005 and 2006. Although Rockingham will conclude the 2007 live meet on Monday (September 3) and Roberts is named on horses, Ingraham will skip closing day and instead will compete at Plainridge Racecourse.

Roberts and the meet’s leading trainer, plus the groom of the year, will be honored at Rockingham on Monday in winner’s circle ceremonies. On Saturday, trainer Dawn Anderson received the Weathervane Seafood Restaurants’ Stable of the Year honors for keeping the most attractive barn area throughout the meet.

On Labor Day, Rockingham will conclude the season by giving one lucky fan an Ipod from Coca-Cola. Everyone 18 and older may enter on track to win the Ipod and post time is 1:00 p.m. For poker players, there will be a Holiday Bounty Tournament with a $250 buy-in at 2:00 p.m. and a women’s only event at 7:00 p.m. with a $100 buy-in. There are also all day live cash games plus sit ‘n gos. The poker games include Texas Hold ‘Em, Seven Card Stud, Crazy Pineapple, and Omaha Hi-Lo.

Full card Thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound simulcasting is available from 12:00 noon until 12:00 midnight seven days per week and charitable bingo is offered six nights per week on a year round basis. The poker tournaments are held every Tuesday through Sunday.