Oak Grove, KY — In a near replica of her victory last week, Rock It Out sat behind wicked early fractions and vaulted from the pocket to strike the winning blow on the weary pacesetter to, this time, score in the $15,000 featured pace at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel on Sunday (May 14).

Rock It Out and driver Devon Tharps powering to victory in the Sunday afternoon feature. Mark Herron Photo.

Starting from the pylon post, driver Devon Tharps pushed Rock It Out to race from the pocket behind leader Dalby Hanover (driven by Joey Putnam) while Drunkonaplane (Geremy Bobbitt) powered forward and insisted on pressing for command through the first quarter, clocked in :25.4. The stinger didn’t quell Drunkonaplane’s challenge as he stayed at Dalby Hanover’s throat to keep the pace hot to a :53.2 half and through three-quarters in 1:22.1.

Eventually the fractions bit into Drunkonaplane and he retreated, though Dalby Hanover remained resolute on the point and peeled clear from everyone but pocket-sitter Rock It Out. And once Tharps gave the mare open road, she stretched her legs and grabbed Dalby Hanover by a neck at the end of a 1:50 mile. L Dees Jack Lopez (Atlee Bender) finished third, beaten another five lengths, with Get E Up (Kyle Husted) fourth.

Donna Holt trains Rock It Out, a 6-year-old daughter of Rockin Image, for owner D&R Racing Stable. The mare won her 25th race from 83 tries and padded her bankroll now worth $216,849. She paid $12.72 to win.

A pair of mini series began on Sunday, one for conditioned claimers and the other for non-winners of 2 races. In the conditional claimer opener, Era Of Love (John MacDonald, 1:52 winning mile; $3.36 to win) powered to a 4-1/4-length effort pillar to post while Kingofmyheart (Atlee Bender, 1:57.4; $4.08) squeaked a quarter-length win in the other division. The straight conditioned divisions were dominated by favorites and driver Joey Putnam as he swept the divisions with Santa Fe Kat (1:53.4; $3.28) and Mystic Melissa (1:54.1; $4.04).

Live racing continues at Oak Grove on Monday (May 15) with a 12-race card which features the start of more mini series for various classes on the condition sheet. First-race post time at Oak Grove is 3 p.m. CDT (4 p.m. EDT).