Rock Fall Keeps His Streak Alive in Vosburgh

Rock Fall punched his ticket to the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland with this never-say-die victory. The dark bay, tabbed as a ‘TDN Rising Star’ out of a powerful first-level allowance tally at Belmont last June, has been unbeatable since a debut eighth at Gulfstream Park last April. Rock Fall entered riding a perfect four-for-four season, including a dazzling performance while making his stakes debut in the GII True North S. at Belmont June 5 and a hard-fought decision over The Big Beast (Yes It’s True) in Saratoga’s GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. last time Aug. 1. Not much of a secret in this one, Rock Fall tracked from a perfect spot in third as Wildcat Red (D’wildcat) and Weekend Hideaway (Speightstown) knocked heads through sharp opening splits of :22.23 and :45.21. Ranging up three wide turning for home, Rock Fall was immediately collared to his outside and headed by Stallwalkin’ Dude as they straightened off the turn. Hand-ridden by a confident Javier Castellano, Rock Fall battled back from along the inside to turn back Stallwalkin’ Dude down the lane and held off a smart late rally from that one’s stablemate to record his second straight at the highest level. “He’s blessed with a lot of natural talent, but to go along with that, he’s got a lot of fight, which is great,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “There are a lot of similarities between him and his sire [Speightstown] and the way they train. You wouldn’t necessarily know they’re as good as they are. Watching in the mornings, he can be a little idle, but you just have confidence that come game time he’ll show up. He takes care of himself well. I was a little worried, I didn’t quite overdo it with training coming into this race. I wanted to get this one and still have something for the Breeders’ Cup, so I was hoping I didn’t cut it too close and he pulled it out. It’s a fine line between running well in the prep and hoping you have something left for the Breeders’ Cup. He’s been winning races since March and seven in row so we just want to continue ticking over.” Rock Fall is the first foal from the multiple stakes winner Renda (Medaglia d’Oro). Her 2-year-old Barbarenda (Sidney’s Candy) debuted with a sharp victory at Gulfstream last weekend. She also has an unraced 3-year-old colt by Super Saver and a yearling filly by Bodemeister, who brought $300,000 at this year’s Keeneland September Sale. She was bred to Paynter this spring.

Saturday, Belmont Park
VOSBURGH S.-GI, $400,000, BEL, 9-26, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:08.70, ft.
1–ROCK FALL, 124, c, 4, by Speightstown
1st Dam: Renda (MSW & GSP, $160,593), by Medaglia d’Oro
2nd Dam: Ten Carats, by Capote
3rd Dam: Miss Waikiki, by Miswaki ($250,000 Ylg ’12 FTSAUG). O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-SF Bloodstock LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Javier Castellano. $240,000. Lifetime Record: 8-7-0-0, $749,180. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*.[bullet ad=”woodsedgefarm-grad”][bullet ad=”kbif-g1″][bullet ad=”stonestreet-trainingalum”][bullet ad=”bluewater-sales-dam-selling-ftknov”]2–Salutos Amigos, 124, g, 5, Salute the Sarge– Sarasota (Arg), by Luhuk. O-David Jacobson & Southern Equine Stable LLC; B-Joan Hadley Thoroughbreds (KY); T-David Jacobson. $80,000.[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]3–Stallwalkin’ Dude, 124, g, 5, City Place–Chelle Spendabuck, by Dare and Go. O-David Jacobson; B-Mary M. Haire (FL); T-David Jacobson. $40,000.[bullet ad=”albina-private-purchase”]Margins: NK, HD, HF. Odds: 0.40, 7.40, 12.60. Also Ran: Palace, Wildcat Red, Weekend Hideaway, Brothersofthetime. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.