by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Rockin With Dewey trotted to a new career mark of 1:52 to win the first leg of the Miss Versatility on Monday night (May 18) at Mohawk.

A field of seven older trotting mares squared off Monday in round one of the Miss Versatility. The series for trotting mares is contested throughout the season over different track sizes. The final of the series is contested on Little Brown Jug day at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

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Rockin With Dewey posted a 1:52 victory on Monday.

Charmed Life was sent off as the heavy 1-5 favorite in Monday’s opening leg. Rockin With Dewey, who defeated Charmed Life a week ago, was parked around the first turn, but cleared to the front as the field entered the backstretch, while Charmed Life was situated in fourth.

Driven by Mario Baillargeon, Rockin With Dewey posted a half-mile time of :56 before being challenged in the third quarter by Charmed Life. The two trotting mares slugged it out around the final turn and Rockin With Dewey was forced to trot a :27.3 third quarter, as she fought off the first up challenge of Charmed Life.

In the stretch, Rockin With Dewey continued to power forward as she put away Charmed Life. D’orsay, who got a two-hole trip, stayed close to the leader in the lane, but ultimately finished second, as Rockin With Dewey held her off to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:52. Charmed Life had to settle for third, while Bax Of Life was fourth.

A 5-year-old daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe, Rockin With Dewey is trained by Ben Baillargeon, who also shares ownership in the mare with Diane Ingham. Monday’s victory improves the trotting mare’s record to two wins from 10 starts this season. Rockin With Dewey now has 12 career victories and career earnings of more than C$377,000. The clocking of 1:52 knocked a full two seconds off her previous career mark. Rockin With Dewey paid $11 to win.