Riveting Rosie was the standout two-year-old trotting filly in Canada last season but she struggled for that same dominance this year � until recently that is.
The three-year-old daughter of Muscle Mass has had to overcome a number of issues this season including some nasty cuts to her back legs from a training accident prior to the start of her 2014 campaign which trainer John Bax treated with Manuka honey on the advice of his vet.
“It’s been one thing after another with her this year, I’d love to see her finish the year strong,” Bax said shortly after Rosie finished second to the top filly Shake It Cerry in the Elegantimage final earlier this month. It would appear Bax is getting his wish.
In her next race after that appearance, a $105,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold division, Rosie went to the top and never looked back to win by more than six lengths in 1:57 which equaled the track record despite the track being rated good.
Tonight at Mohawk, in the final OSS Gold event for this division, Riveting Rosie was once again the best of her group by open lengths, winning in a new life best of 1:54, again over an off track. Rosie left from post six in the compact field of a half dozen in the second of two divisions and she was quick to the first quarter in :27. Rosie pulled Paul MacDonell to the half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:26. White Becomes Her came up to challenge in the final turn, and tucked in behind the leader down the stretch as she could not gain on Rosie who was home with more than four lengths to spare over White Becomes Her and Mayberry.
Bred by Schare Adams of Kentucky, Riveting Rose sold for $17,000 at the Lexington Select Sale to Bax, Don Allensen, Wyoming, J And T Stable, Newmarket and John Hayes, Sharon, Ontario. Rosie’s summary on the year now reads 3-2-2 in 13 starts for $276,000 earned this year and $745,293 lifetime.
In the first division Muscle Babe powered to the front early to hit the opening quarter in :27. Randy Waples pulled Sweetie Hearts out from second just past that point and she trotted by the half in :57. Miss Liv came up on the outside to challenge and that pair were neck and neck at the 1:26.2 third panel. Sweetie Hearts put away that challenger and was home first easily in 1:55. Kate Smith closed a ton to take second while Miss Liv held for third.
Bob Key of Leechburg, Pa., bred and owns the winner, a daughter of Angus Hall who has four wins in 15 trips behind the gate this year for $280,000 in earnings. Ron Parsons trains the filly whose second dam is a full sister to American Winner, Super Pleasure, Jonlin, etc.
The top fillies from the division will meet one more time in OSS action, on Super Final night, October 11, back at Mohawk. To view the results from tonight’s event, please click Mohawk Results – September 30.