Rockin Ron, the veteran warhorse from the Ron Burke Stable, scored his first win of 2022 to mark his ninth straight year of racing with a win. The Indiana sired gelding turned in a time of 1:52.2 for the win Wednesday, Feb. 23 at Miami Valley Raceway.
Rockin Ron won his first race of 2022 Wed. Feb. 23 at Miami Valley, marking the ninth straight year he’s earned a win. Photo by Conrad Photography
Starting from post eight, Rockin Ron and Chris Page got away in mid pack as Sweet Troy and Jeremy Smith cleared to the front after the quarter in :27.4 in the $17,500 conditioned pace. Rockin Ron was flushed out heading to the half in :56.2, but took his time advancing on the leaders, reaching them just after the three-quarters in 1:24.3. In the turn, Rockin Ron did what he’s done so many times before, hit another gear and took over, pacing down the stretch in :27.3 for the win by a comfortable two lengths. Sweet Troy fended off the rest of the field for second over Starznheaven and Mitchell Cushing for third.
Rockin Ron paid $7.20 for the win. The Real Desire gelding is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, RTC Stables Inc., and J & T Silva Stables LLC. He has been with the Burke Stable since his three-year-old year in 2015 and the current partnership of Burke’s owners since 2018. Ronald Phillips, John A Carver and Louis Leinberger all of Illinois bred the gelding, who now has 39 career wins in 146 starts with more than $1.7 million in earnings. His career best time was taken as a five-year-old at Mohawk in 1:47.2.
Rockin Ron is the second foal of the Sportsmaster mare Im All A Roan, who took a mark of 1:55 during her racing career. Rockin Ron is her most successful foal out of seven of racing age. She has a two-year-old full sister to him that will race in 2022 named Delightful Donna.
Rockin Ron has won many stakes races throughout his career, including several Indiana Sires Stakes. He was a winner in the Prix D Ete at Twin Rivers as a four-year-old and five-year-old. He also won the Camluck Stakes at London as a six-year-old and the Levy, Dayton Derby and the Canadian Derby as a five-year-old.