Columbus, OH — Rock N Republic popped the pocket around the last turn and sailed to a new lifetime mark of 1:52 to close out the Jerry Knappenberger series at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Monday (May 31).

Imma Be (Chris Page) was the heavy 1-5 favorite and took the lead from the start to set early fractions of :27.1, :56.2 and 1:24.3.

Rock N Republic went off at 7-1 and paid $16 to win. Conrad photo.

Trainer/driver Robert Taylor pulled Rock N Republic midway through the last turn and when the leaders straightened out at the top of the stretch, the pair pulled away to comfortably win by 1-3/4 lengths. Cold Decked (Tyler Smith) finished third at 29-1.

Rock N Republic went off at 7-1 and paid $16 to win.

Dossie Minor owns the 3-year-old Pet Rock gelding. Out of the Dragon Again mare My Juliana’s Girl, Rock N Republic was a $7,000 Illini Classic Yearling Sale purchase back in 2019. He earned $27,522 as a 2-year-old, racing mostly on the Ohio county fair circuit. Now three-for-three to start his 3-year-old campaign for Taylor, Rock N Republic’s lifetime earnings have soared to $43,522.

“The owner trained him down and qualified him at Hoosier,” said Taylor. “Dossie asked me if I would train him and race him this summer. We have been working on a few little issues and will be aiming him toward the Ohio Sire Stakes after tonight’s win.”

The Knappenberger Final was the last of the 3-5-year-old non-winners of one series for Ohio breds held at Scioto during the month of May. The Kevin Greenfield (for male trotters) was won by Fire Cross on Wednesday (May 26) in 1:56, the John Konesky (for female trotters) was won by Magic Credit Card on Thursday (May 27) in 1:56.1 and the Steve McCoy (for female pacers) was won by Screamin Demon in 1:54.4 on Friday (May 28).

Scioto has written a non-winners of two or $15,000 life series for Ohio breds for the month of June following the success of the non-winners of one series.

“We were happy with how the series played out in May,” said Eldorado Scioto Downs Director of Racing Jason Roth. “Only one final was won by the race favorite and most were very competitive races.”

The Richard Brandt for female trotters will be the first in the series to go on Thursday (June 3). Next to be drawn is the Dr. Al Gabel for male trotters and the Skip Hoovler for female pacers, both of which will race on Friday (June 4).

View the entire 2021 Eldorado Scioto Downs racing schedule here.