CAMPBELLVILLE, May 18 – Rockin With Dewey trotted to a new career-mark of 1:52 to win the first leg of the Miss Versatility Monday night at Mohawk. A field of seven older trotting mares squared off Monday in round one of the harness racing series, Miss Versatility.
The series for trotting mares is contested throughout the season over different track sizes. The final of the series is contested on Little Brown Jug day at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.
Charmed Life was sent off as the heavy 1/5 favourite in Monday's opening leg.
Rockin With Dewey, who defeated Charmed Life a week ago, was parked around the first turn, but cleared to the front as the field entered the backstretch, while Charmed Life was situated in fourth.
Driven by Mario Baillargeon, Rockin With Dewey posted a half-mile time of :56 before being challenged in the third-quarter by Charmed Life.
The two trotting mares slugged it out around the final turn and Rockin With Dewey was forced to trot a :27.3 third-quarter, as she fought off the first up challenge of Charmed Life.
In the stretch, Rockin With Dewey continued to powered forward as she put away Charmed Life. Dorsay, who got a two-hole trip, stayed close to the leader in the lane, but ultimately finished second, as Rockin With Dewey held her off to win by three-quarters of a length victory in 1:52.
Charmed Life had to settle for third, while Bax Of Life was fourth.
A five-year-old daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe, Rockin With Dewey is trained by Ben Baillargeon, who also shares ownership in the mare with Diane Ingham.
Monday's victory improves the trotting mare's record to two wins from 10 starts this season. Rockin With Dewey now has 12 career victories and career earnings of over $377,000.
The clocking of 1:52 knocked a full two-seconds off her previous career-mark.
Rockin With Dewey paid $11 to win.