by Lynne Snierson, publicity director, Rockingham Park
Salem, NH — Francis McDonnell picked up right where he had left off. McDonnell, who won numerous titles as Rockingham Park’s leading Thoroughbred owner over the years, won two of the three turf races run on Sunday when Thoroughbred racing returned to Rockingham Park for the first time in two years.
McDonnell’s homebred three-year-old filly Birdie’s Secret, sent off at 10-1 by the enthusiastic and large crowd, upset a field of nine other distaffers in the first turf event. Trained by veteran horseman George Handy and ridden by Orlando Bocachica, Birdie’s Secret rallied on the far turn and split rivals in the stretch to win by a comfortable two and a half lengths over firm turf in 1:48. Cinnamon Secret made a late move for second, and Killer App hung on for third in the $17,000 allowance test.
Birdie’s Secret, who was making her first start on the grass and at the distance, rewarded her backers with a $22.40 win payoff.
McDonnell, Handy and Bocachica joined forces again in the next race to win the next $17,000 allowance race with Ringing Rock, a four-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Alphabet Soup and the Mining mare Dial A Song.
Ringing Rock took control on the far turn and gamely fought off a challenge by Speeder inside the eighth pole to prevail by a head in 1:46.28. Speeder and Whenever Wherever rounded out the $546.40 trifecta, which was keyed by Ringing Rock’s $9.00 win price.
“It feels great to be back at Rockingham,” said Handy, who first trained horses at the Salem oval in the 1940’s and has won several training titles in New England. “This is wonderful.”
Handy’s sentiments were repeated by the Labor Day weekend crowd, who clearly enjoyed a reunion with Thoroughbred racing and the union of the two breeds at Rockingham.
“This was a very nice day for racing,” said Ed Callahan, the track’s vice president and general manager. “Having Thoroughbred racing and harness racing on the same card was very successful.”
Rockingham will present a 100-program live harness meet in each of the next two years, and the possibility of adding some Thoroughbred turf racing dates in the future exists.
Also on Sunday, top driver Bruce Ranger won four of the eight harness races to boost his record-breaking season total to 210 victories and keep alive his daily consecutive win streak.
On Monday, Rockingham will conclude its 2004 live harness season with a special holiday card and one lucky fan will win a mountain bike from Coca-Cola. Presentations will be made to the meet’s leading driver, trainer and groom. Post time is 1:05 p.m.