An Impressive First Run by American Rockette
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher
American Rockette breaks her maiden at Saratoga Race Course
The breeding suggested that American Rockette could run a little bit.
And, oh, did the 2-year-old filly do that in her first career start, in the 10th race at Saratoga Race Course July 21.
"I am very pleased," her Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said outside his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track.
Of course he was. American Rockette, a daughter of American Pharoah —Rocket Twentyone , by Indian Charlie , started slow and finished fast in the 5 1/2-furlong race. She is owned by Frank Fletcher Racing Operations.
American Rockette is a half sister to Frank's Rockette , a 5-year-old mare by Into Mischief who has won nearly $1 million in her career so far, and to two stakes-placed runners.
In the finale on July 21, American Rockette was ridden by Junior Alvarado and went off at odds of 9-2.
"You never know what to expect," Mott said. "You are impressed when you see them win."
The way American Rockette did it was visually impressive. After a slow start left her last in the field of nine, American Rockette showed a tremendous turn of foot into the stretch and won going away. Alvarado brought her home with a hand ride.
"We knew she had the ability to run, we worked her," Mott said. "We have seen her, but they don't always put it together in the afternoon and do it professionally. She was not the quickest out of the gate, but she did not give up."
The next step for American Rockette could be in a stakes race.
"What else are we gonna do?" Mott said. "Unless you come up with an allowance race for me."
American Rockette was timed in 1:05.93.