by Lynne Snierson, publicity director, Rockingham Park

Salem, NH — New England and track record holder Earl’s Charm K will line up in the final of the $50,000 Joseph Carney Memorial Trot on Sunday (September 2) at Rockingham Park, but the horse who has gone off as the favorite in his last three starts figures to be a bit of a long shot this time.

That’s because the 7-year-old gelding needed a bit of racing luck to pass through the entry box.

Earl’s Charm K, who established the track record of 1:54 for trotters of all ages in July 2006 and had enjoyed another stellar season at The Rock in 2007, turned in an uncharacteristic performance one week ago and finished sixth in his $15,000 elimination test for the Carney. His race would have kept him out of Sunday’s final, but then two of the horses who did race their way in were forced to skip the final. That left the door wide open for Earl’s Charm K, and now it’s up to Jonathan Roberts to drive right through it.

Roberts, who is the horse’s regular driver, seems to have the magic touch with him and the pair pose for winner’s circle photos with great regularity. With the dual advantages of drawing the inside post on their home track for the Carney, the 5-1 morning line odds might prove to be a tad generous for Roberts and Earl’s Charm K come post time.

Rickie, with career earnings of over $400,000, is the 5-2 early favorite in the field of eight and Armbro Barrister, with over half a million dollars in earnings, is the 7-2 second choice despite finishing a half-length in front of Rickie in their elimination test last week.

With two days of live racing left in the 2007 meet, Roberts and back-to-back driving champion David Ingraham are battling for top honors. At the completion of Saturday’s card, Roberts had a five-race edge over his rival, who is slated to compete at another track on closing day. So the battle for leading driver at the meet will be decided on Sunday, with Roberts competing in seven races and Ingraham driving in eight races on the 10-race card.

In the $50,000 Carney Final, Ingraham will drive Mister Lucky Vec, who was assigned odds of 10-1. Mister Lucky Vec, a 4-year-old son of Master Lavec, was the show horse behind Armbro Barrister and Rickie in the aforementioned elimination race here last Sunday. Ingraham is his regular driver.

Post time for Sunday is 1:05 p.m.