Entry Takes Artiscape; Pet Rock Shocks in Roll With Joe

NICHOLS, NY— Mare and Horse pacers met at Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon to compete in the $158,000 Artiscape Mare Pace and the $184,000 Roll With Joe Horse Pace.

One mare from the five-horse entry crossed the finish line in the winning position, though not one that was expected. Economy Terror scratched out of the race, so it left the Burke quartet to square off against the other five mares. Of the entry, Camille took first with her stable mate, Rocklamation, finishing second.

As expected, a fast pace was set in the early stages of the mile. Big Mcdeal showed a jolt of speed off the gate and Anndrovette chased her down around the turn to clear the lead, but paced the first quarter in :25.1. Heading into the second turn, Feeling You edged out of fourth and began a charge towards the leader; Camille and Drop The Ball were on her tail following her every move. Anndrovette had no breather and went the half in :52.3 (:27.2).

Camille closing on the field to win the Artiscape

Feeling You was hung due to the tremendous speed being used by Anndrovette. Big Mcdeal sat the pocket for most of the mile and had room to tip out of the pocket and she stuck her nose infront of Anndrovette at three-quarters in a wicked 1:19.4 (:27.1). The backfield began flying after the leaders heading into the stretch. Camille was widest of all challengers, closing with Rocklamation alongside. Drop The Ball was too coming into contention late and Anndrovette was digging in for minor honors. Camille had more than Rocklamation and won the Artiscape in 1:48.3, equaling the all-age mare pacing world record. Anndrovette was third and Drop The Ball was fourth.

Camille returned $4.40 to win. She is owned by trainer Ron Burke’s Burke Racing Stables, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, M1 Stables LLC and Jack Piatt III and was driven by Matt Kakaley.

Arguably one of the hardest races to develop a scenario for was the Roll With Joe, taken by Pet Rock in 1:48.1, versus our Sweet Lou, Betterthancheddar and A Rocknroll Dance exotic.

Golden Receiver set the pace, with Betterthancheddar in second and Sweet Lou wide in an attempt to take the lead, versus racing off the pace like in his past races. Sweet Lou cleared the top from Golden Receiver after a :26 quarter. Pet Rock immediately made his move and edged out of the pocket, in desperate need of cover. Brennan was the one to provide Pet Rock that cover, as he brought Betterthancheddar to the outside to challenge Sweet Lou for the lead passing the half in :53.2 (:27.2).

Pet Rock strolling to victory in the Roll With Joe

Pet Rock sat second over, watching the fireworks unfold in front of him in the form of a duel. Sweet Lou was a game foe to Betterthancheddar and still held command at three-quarters in 1:20.1 (:26.4). Pet Rock fanned wide turning for home, as did other trackers Rockincam and Foiled Again. Pet Rock took the lead from the tiring Betterthancheddar and Sweet Lou. Foiled Again was closing fast, with Rockincam moving along with him. Pet Rock had just enough and won by a length in 1:48.1 (:28). Foiled Again was second, Rockincam was third and Betterthancheddar held on for fourth.

Pet Rock went off the fourth choice on the tote-board and returned $13.80 for the victory. He is owned by Frank Bellino, trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. and David Miller was in the bike.