Little Rocket Man turned in another sizzling performance Wednesday, June 3 during qualifiers at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Under the direction of driver Trace Tetrick, the four-year-old gelding rallied home in :26.0 for the five and one-half length victory in 1:52.1 for trainer Missy Essig.
Little Rocket Man and Trace Tetrick, shown winning last year at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, won their second straight qualifier Wed. June 3 in preparation for the 2020 racing season in Indiana. Photo by Linscott Photography
Starting from post seven, Tetrick opted to take Little Rocket Man over to the inside path behind the field, following along as Lyons King and Peter Wrenn set fractions of :27.3 and :57.1. Around the final turn, pressure was applied to the top spot and Little Rocket Man followed the flow for perfect positioning at the top of the stretch. Tell It Tyce and Ricky Macomber Jr. also closed well for second while Lyons King maintained ground for third.
Owned by Russ Beeman and Jack Freeman, Little Rocket Man is now two for two in qualifying action for his return this year. The son of Rockin Image, who won 11 of 17 starts last year at three after not racing as a two-year-old, will work to add to his $200,000 bankroll and lower his career best time of 1:49.0 when racing resumes at Harrah’s Hoosier Park June 16.
Other Indiana sired winners on the qualifying program were Northern Cadillac and Tetrick in a time of 1:53.4 for trainer Alvin Miller. The Time to Roll three-year-old is owned and bred by Northern Lane Farm. Trainer Walter Haynes Jr. had a winner in Tellitlikeitwas in 1:56.3 with Brandon Bates in the bike for owners Maynard Miller and Sara Haynes. Baby Lets Roll and Joey Putnam were winners in 1:56.3. The three-year-old Time to Roll filly is trained by Justin White and owned by Tom Weigel.
Swan in Motion and Ricky Macomber Jr. were winners in 1:55.2. The Swan for All three-year-old colt is trained by Jamie Macomber. The final Indiana sired winner was Star Island, a three-year-old son of Straight Shooting driven by Trace Tetrick who scored the win in 1:54.3. Luis Quevedo trains for owner-breeder John Barnard.