Standardbred racing is limited on Saturdays in North America with only The Meadowlands and Freehold racing in the U.S. One Indiana sired horse who took advantage of the Saturday night card at The Meadowlands was Luc Rocks, who pulled in an upset for the Bongiorno Stable.
Indiana sired Luc Rocks makes his way back to the winner’s circle for his first win at The Meadowlands Saturday, Jan. 14.
Luc Rocks and Joe Bongiorno lined up in post two behind the starting gate and when the wings folded, several horses vied for the early lead. After beating the one horse out of the gate, Luc Rocks continued to hold steady and put the outside horses to his back by the quarter in :28.1. Luc Rocks then had a good handle on the lead in the $50,000 claiming event, passing by the half in :56.0 before feeling company creep up on the outside. Around the final turn, Katies Bet and George Brennan got by Luc Rocks by nearly a full length but stalled and Luc Rocks came back to grab the lead again heading into the stretch.
In the stretch, horses were fanned out across the track in pursuit of the win. Stonebridge Reef and David Miller had sat on Luc Rocks back the entire way and appeared to be waiting for the open stretch, but as the finish line neared, Luc Rocks was very strong in his intentions to win, scoring the victory by one and one-half lengths over Stonebridge Reef. Certifiable, also an Indiana sired son of Rockin Image, and Marcus Miller finished third. The time of the mile was 1:52.2.
Luc Rocks was overlooked at the betting windows, paying $29.00 for the win. The five-year-old Rockin Image gelding is trained by Joe Bongiorno’s sister, Jennifer, for owners J.R. and Collin Ryan of Pennsylvania. Luckiana Farm bred the gelding, who earned his first win of 2023. Overall, Luc Rocks has 10 wins in 65 starts with more than $110,000 in earnings. His career best time of 1:51.1 was taken as a three-year-old at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
Luc Rocks only had two starts as a two-year-old with no success. He began his career in the Jamie Macomber barn and came back strong as a three-year-old when he secured his career best time. His last start at three was a win in a $27,000 Late Closer final. After a few starts at Dayton, Northfield and The Meadows, he continued East and landed in the Bongiorno Stable last summer. He has had two wins for his new connections so far, both at Yonkers. His win Saturday was his first victory at The Meadowlands.
Luc Rocks is the last foal from the broodmare My Taylor’s Maid, who is by Artsplace. In addition to Luc Rocks, she has produced Matrix of Luck, a full brother with a mark of 1:50.3 and more than $400,000 in earnings. All four of her foals have raced.
Luc Rocks was one of 73 sold at public auction with the crop of yearlings. He came out of the Luckiana Farm consignment named My Golden One. He brought $42,000 through the sales ring at the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale. Certifiable, the horse that finished third in the race at The Meadowlands, also sold at the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale the same day for $20,000.