by Miami Valley Raceway

Lebanon, OH — Rock The Look, making a double jump up from conditioned ranks, surprised the Open mares at Miami Valley Raceway on Friday night (March 31) capturing the $22,000 feature for open distaff pacers at odds of 16-1. A ten-time winner in 2016, the victory was the 5-year-old daughter of Rockin Image initial 2017 triumph in her eighth try.

Conrad photo

A ten-time winner in 2016, the victory on Friday evening at Miami Valley Raceway was the 5-year-old daughter of Rockin Image initial 2017 triumph in her eighth try.

Last in the early going, driver Jason Brewer put Rock The Look into the outer flow after a quarter-mile in :27.2 and a half in :55.3, but was drafting fourth in the second lane as the field raced four in and four out to the 1:24.1 three-quarter marker. Swinging five-wide at the head of the stretch, Rock The Look was part of a cavalry charge to the wire, getting the best of the others in the final couple strides.

Favored Jerseylicious (Trace Tetrick), made a game attempt to overcome an assigned outside post position, but fell just short. Art I Sweet (Ken Holliday) was next to cross the line in third in the field of eight, all of which finished within three lengths of the winner.

Trainer Joe Putnam and Suttons Bay Racing own Rock The Look, who increased her lifetime bankroll to $342,500 with her 19th win.

A pair of second round divisions of the Dr. Don Mossbarger Memorial late-closer for mares was also contested on Friday. Stirling Euphoria (Chris Page) topped Clarebear (Kayne Kauffman) and Ohsowigglesspecial (Aaron Merriman) in 1:53.3 to stamp her ticket into the $27,500 championship final next week.

Youlookhot (Josh Sutton) withstood a judge’s inquiry, due to being forced inside pylons at the first quarter-mile mark as a horse broke directly in front of her, to cop her second straight series victory in 1:54.2. She defeated Twin B Honour (Trace Tetrick) and odds-on favorite Kiss Me Onthebeach (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.).

Dispatched at odds of 9-1, Youlookhot figures to get more attention from the punters playing the final.