Woodmere Rock It Watch Thread
Woodmere Rock It: A Perfect 11-for-11
Record-breaking speed, remarkable determination and an undefeated season make Woodmere Rock It's two-year-old campaign one to remember.
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Eleven starts. Eleven victories. $102,871 in earnings. Two track records, a Canadian record-equalling performance and an Atlantic Breeders Crown championship.
Woodmere Rock It has completed a remarkable two-year-old season, establishing himself as one of the most exciting young pacing prospects to emerge from Atlantic Canada in recent years.
And if there was any doubt about his dominance, the talented gelding erased it in spectacular fashion on October 17, closing out his freshman campaign with an astonishing 18-length victory in the $27,000 Maritime Breeders Stakes at Charlottetown Driving Park.
For his connections, it was the perfect ending to an unforgettable season.
From promising rookie to record breaker
Bred by Woodmere Farms of Marshfield, Prince Edward Island, Woodmere Rock It is a son of Tobago Cays out of Musette Mindale, by The Panderosa.
Trained by Jamie Smith for TheStable WoodmereRock It of Guelph, Ontario, the young gelding wasted little time demonstrating his potential.
He opened his career on June 27 with a victory in 1:56.4 at Charlottetown, before capturing an Atlantic Sires Stakes event at Truro Raceway in 1:56, closing his mile with an impressive 27.4-second final quarter.
As the summer progressed, the victories continued, and so did the speed.
On August 9 at Summerside Raceway, Woodmere Rock It delivered a commanding performance, stopping the clock in 1:54.3 and winning by 6¼ lengths while establishing a new track record for two-year-old pacers.
But his most extraordinary display of speed was still to come.
Just ten days later, on August 19 at Charlottetown, with Anthony MacDonald in the bike, Woodmere Rock It produced a breathtaking 1:52.4 mile, equalling the Canadian record for two-year-old pacing geldings on a half-mile track.
It was also the fastest mile ever recorded by a two-year-old pacer in Atlantic Canada.
For his connections, that performance was the most impressive of the season. Watching a two-year-old gelding deliver that kind of speed on a half-mile track was an indication that they had something truly special.
Yet, as remarkable as the record-equalling mile was, another victory would ultimately provide an even greater emotional high.
Speed wins races, but heart makes champions
While Woodmere Rock It's raw speed was undeniable, some of his most revealing performances came when things didn't go entirely according to plan.
At Inverness Raceway on July 26, an early break threatened his unbeaten record, but he recovered and rallied to win.
At Summerside on August 30, another brief miscue in the opening turn failed to prevent him from capturing the Joe O'Brien Memorial Gold.
These victories demonstrated his ability to overcome adversity, but perhaps no race revealed more about his competitive spirit than his September 26 appearance at Charlottetown.
That afternoon, stablemate Woodmere Fergus launched a determined challenge through the passing lane. For much of the season, Woodmere Rock It had been able to dominate his competition with superior speed. This time, he had a genuine fight on his hands.
With his undefeated record hanging in the balance, the young gelding refused to yield.
He dug in, battled courageously toward the finish line and held on to win by a neck.
For one of his owners, it was the most exhilarating victory of the entire campaign.
The record-equalling 1:52.4 mile had been the most impressive demonstration of Woodmere Rock It's ability, but the narrow victory provided the greatest feeling of elation. Watching him persevere under pressure, fighting all the way to the wire, revealed a quality that cannot be measured by a stopwatch.
It showed his determination, his competitive spirit and his willingness to battle when victory was anything but certain.
The 1:52.4 mile showed how fast he could go. The victory by a neck showed how badly he wanted to win.
Together, those two performances perhaps best define what made Woodmere Rock It's rookie season so exceptional.
An Atlantic Breeders Crown Champion
By early October, Woodmere Rock It had established himself as the dominant two-year-old pacing gelding on the Maritime circuit.
On October 4, he entered the $50,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown final at Charlottetown with nine victories from nine starts.
With Gilles Barrieau in the bike, he once again demonstrated his superiority, cruising to a decisive 7¾-length victory over Woodmere Dougal in 1:54.2.
The win secured his Atlantic Breeders Crown championship and extended his perfect record to ten consecutive victories.
The championship was another major achievement in a season already filled with highlights.
But there was still one race remaining.
Saving a dominant performance for last
On October 17, Woodmere Rock It returned to Charlottetown for his final assignment of the season, the $27,000 Home Hardware Maritime Breeders Stakes for two-year-old colts and geldings.
With Gilles Barrieau once again handling the driving duties, the heavily favoured gelding left absolutely no doubt about the outcome.
Taking command early, Woodmere Rock It reached the opening quarter in 28.1 seconds and the halfway point in 56.4.
By the three-quarter pole, reached in 1:25.1, he had opened a seven-length advantage.
And he was far from finished.
Turning for home, his lead had grown to 14 lengths. With every stride down the stretch, he continued to draw farther away from his rivals.
When he crossed the finish line, the clock stopped at 1:55.1, and Woodmere Rock It was an incredible 18 lengths in front.
Southdale Jeff finished second, with Saulsbrook Andy completing the top three.
The emphatic victory earned Woodmere Rock It another $12,150, bringing his two-year-old earnings to $102,871.
It was a remarkable way to conclude a perfect season. After ten consecutive victories, he had saved one of his most dominant performances for his final appearance.
A season nuilt on talent, dedication and teamwork
While Woodmere Rock It's accomplishments on the racetrack have been extraordinary, his success is also a testament to the people behind him.
Trainer Jamie Smith deserves considerable credit for developing and managing a talented young horse through an undefeated campaign, keeping him sharp and competitive throughout a demanding stakes season.
Drivers Corey MacPherson, Adam Merner, Anthony MacDonald and Gilles Barrieau all contributed to his success, guiding him through races that tested his speed, versatility and determination.
The dedication of everyone involved in his daily care and preparation has also been an essential part of his remarkable journey.
For the ownership group, TheStable WoodmereRock It, the season has provided the kind of excitement and satisfaction that makes racehorse ownership so rewarding.
Every trip behind the starting gate brought anticipation. Every victory added to the growing sense that this was becoming an exceptional season.
And with each successive win, the possibility of completing an undefeated rookie campaign became increasingly real.
Eleven starts. Eleven wins. One unforgettable season.
As Woodmere Rock It heads into his well-earned off-season, the numbers tell an extraordinary story.
Eleven starts and eleven victories. More than $100,000 in earnings. Multiple track records, a Canadian record-equalling mile, an Atlantic Breeders Crown championship and an 18-length victory to close the campaign.
But statistics alone cannot fully capture what made this season so memorable.
There was the excitement of watching a young horse develop into a record-breaking performer. The anticipation that came with each new challenge. The pride of seeing him compete against the best of his generation.
And perhaps most importantly, there was the satisfaction of discovering that beneath his tremendous speed was a competitive spirit that refused to surrender.
Woodmere Rock It demonstrated that he could win with overwhelming speed, recover when things went wrong and fight with determination when challenged.
His three-year-old season will undoubtedly bring new competition and fresh challenges, but those are stories still waiting to be written.
For now, his connections can reflect on a freshman campaign that delivered everything they could have hoped for, and more.
Eleven times Woodmere Rock It went behind the starting gate. Eleven times he returned to the winner's circle.
His speed made him exceptional. His determination made him unforgettable.
And for one remarkable two-year-old season, Woodmere Rock It was simply unbeatable.
