After couple narrow defeats to start the prestigious Saratoga meet, Centennial Farms got off the duck with an impressive victory by improving sophomore Rocketry.
Rocketry was named a “Rising Star” by the Thoroughbred Daily News after drawing away from a strong maiden field in June. Though he was defeated in his first start against winners, enduring some bad racing luck, he rebounded with an easy Saratoga score. There is no more prestigious meet in the nation than the Spa and thus no place more difficult to win. The big bay colt’s win stamped him as a true force to be reckoned with going long on the grass.
The celebration was particular sweet given what preceded it. Two races apart, just a few days prior, our Tiznow duo of Weather Wiz and Securitiz battled their way to runner-up efforts. The pair was beaten by less than 3/4-length combined.
With all three runners finishing in the top three, Centennial Farms is currently sitting just shy of a 70% on the board record for 2017. No other partnership with more than ten starters has a higher percentage, nor any based on North America’s toughest circuit, New York.
Members of Centennial Farms and the Jimmy Jerkens barn enjoy Rocketry’s Saratoga win with jockey Jose Ortiz.
