Alilability wins at Rock

Alilability proved he's got a lot of ability, not to mention quite a closing kick, when he bested eight other 3-year-old colts and geldings to take home the trophy in the $20,000 Mountain Skipper Series final at Rockingham Park on Saturday.

The son of Noble Ability, driven by Kyle DiBenedetto for the first time, looked well beaten in the stretch when the 5-2 second choice Herzon opened up almost a four-length lead on the field on a track rated “good” by the afternoon's rain. But Alilability, true to his form, dug down deep and stormed through the lane like a freight train to pace home in 1:51.1 and prevail by 1 1/4 lengths.

Herzon was second and Shark Lookin closed to be a well-beaten third, while the 2-1 favorite, Fox Ridge Ryan, trailed the field early and never got into the race.

Even though Alilability had won the first leg of the series two weeks ago in similar, come from behind fashion, he surprised the bettors who dismissed him at 6-1. He even gave his driver pause for thought.

"No, around the turn I didn't think we'd be able to catch that other horse," DiBenedetto said. "I thought that other one had too big of a jump. But this horse just grinds and grinds. He's not a real speed horse. He just gives you all he's got."

That was certainly enough. Alilability, trained by George Ducharme and owned by Shannon Di Antonio, returned $14, $4.80 and $4.20. He has now won three of five starts this year, and has shown that he's one of the best 3-year-old pacers in New England. (Rockingham Park)

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