by Ryan Hubbard and Brad Meadows, Hoosier Park publicity department

Anderson, IN — Roknrol Bluegrass gave it all she had in deep stretch en route to a major upset in the $10,000 second round of the Genesis Series on Friday, May 25, at Hoosier Park. The race was a non-betting event. Driven by Walter Haynes, Jr., she closed with authority in the lane to beat one of the best 3-year-old fillies in Indiana, knocking off Summer In Fiji in a time of 1:53.

“The good closing kick by her (Roknrol Bluegrass) was the story tonight,” said Haynes. “She was sick last week. However, she is getting better. The change in the weather helped. It is hard to get healthy if there is a lot of humidity around. Also, getting a lot of rest last week contributed to her getting healthy.”

Roknrol Bluegrass was a 1:53 winner on Friday in the Genesis Series.

At the start, Roknrol Bluegrass got away in the sixth spot. Summer In Fiji, with driver Ricky Macomber, Jr., took the lead down the backstretch. After the field opened the first quarter in :26.4, Summer In Fiji continued to cut remaining fractions of :56 and 1:25.1.

Coming from more than 8-1/2 lengths off of the lead, Roknrol Bluegrass surged from behind impressively. With the fastest closing quarter of :26.1, she was able to track down Summer In Fiji for the new career best time. The late kick sent Summer In Fiji back to second. Parking Place and driver Don Eash held on to finish third.

“The horses close to the front tired in the stretch due to how quick the first half-mile was,” said Haynes. “They were shipping her (Roknrol Bluegrass) everywhere before we got her. It really took a toll on her.”

Roknrol Bluegrass has had a remarkable season in 2007. She is three for seven. Roknrol Bluegrass made it over the $20,000 hump as she has bankrolled $22,490 in her lifetime. The daughter of Pilgrims Punch is owned by Dr. Luel Overstreet of Henderson, Ky. Walter’s wife, Sara, trains the Indiana-sired bay filly.

Go On BB continues streak in Sires Stakes

Go On BB extended her streak of consecutive victories this season to six as she and driver Ricky Macomber, Jr. took leg two of the Indiana Sires Stakes on Friday. The Mickey Burke-trained filly displayed dominant closing ability, expanding her lead to greater than three lengths at the wire.

Martha’s Revenge and Bill Dailey made a sweeping move from the outside to take control of the field early. Go On BB, coming off a two-week layoff, picked up the pocket seat from the rail. The 3-year-old filly looked rested and ready to race in her return to the Hoosier Park oval, pacing the mile in 1:53.

Terri Kelley photos

Go On BB paced a final quarter in :25.4 on her way to the winner’s circle.

“I actually wanted a couple more horses to leave,” said Macomber. “She’s a smart horse, and seems to learn something new each time out. We wanted to wait until after the first quarter-mile to take the lead.”

Taking over the lead from Martha’s Revenge out of the first turn was Go On BB. Macomber cleared the daughter of Dontgetinmyway early down the backstretch, and set the filly on cruise control. The pair set half and three-quarter fractions of :58.1 and 1:27.1. Martha’s Revenge and Dailey picked up the pocket seat in second.

Go On BB looked poised to extend her streak of victories and stay undefeated in 2007. Considered one of the top 3-year-old pacing fillies in the Midwest, Go On BB closed the final quarter in an unprecedented :25.4. Holding on to finish the mile in second, 3-1/2 lengths back, was Martha’s Revenge and Dailey. Lady Jay and Jeff Nisonger used a good closing kick to finish the mile in third.

“Once she sees a horse on the outside of her, she carries them along,” added Macomber. “She had plenty left down the lane and put together a quick time. She’s traveling to New York next week to compete in a stakes race at Yonkers.”

Frank Baldachino owns and Burke trains Go On BB. The win is the 12th in 15 career starts for the filly, who has earned $144,000 in her young career.