Northfield, OH — Knocking on the door against Open company since shipping to Ohio in mid-January, Grace Rocks finally got the job done on Saturday (Feb. 18) at MGM Northfield Park.

Grace Rocks won by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.3. Angela Casalinova photo.

Driver Eric Tharps Jr. wasted no time putting Grace Rocks on the lead, leaving alertly from post four. Heading into the backstretch for the first time, Tharps cleared Smothastenesewisky (Tyler Smith), but Blue Ivy (Aaron Merriman) also challenged the leader at the quarter in :26.2.

Following the snappy quarter, Merriman tried to relegate the heavy favorite Blue Ivy into a hole, but they all closed heading into the far turn for the first time, forcing Merriman to press on. Tharps never took his foot off the gas pedal, leading Blue Ivy to the half in :54.4.

Heading to three-quarters in 1:22.4, Waitforever N (Billy Davis Jr.) tipped out three-wide but had nothing for the leaders heading into the final turn.

Through the stretch, Smothastenesewisky tried to capitalize off the perfect trip but couldn’t get to Grace Rocks, who won by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.3. Smothastenesewisky finished second, while Kat (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) was third.

Owned by Howard Taylor, and trained by Jamal Williams, Grace Rocks has now earned $410,165 in 68 career starts. The victory was the 21st of her career.

Live racing resumes on Sunday evening at 6 p.m.

MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. For more information on live racing and promotions, visit www.northfieldpark.com.