American Hot Rod upsets in General Brock

Despite going up against a heavily-favoured four-horse entry in Sunday’s $67,200 General Brock Trotting Series Final at Woodbine Racetrack, American Hot Rod took his game to a whole new level and played the role of spoiler by upsetting his four-year-old counterparts in a career-best clocking of 1:55.1.

The four-year-old son of American Winner-Alpine Goal, who finished second in the first two legs of the series, was pedal to the metal to make to the early lead for driver Rick Zeron before giving way to All Cantab and Jody Jamieson.  All Cantab led the field to the quarter pole in :27.4 before Zeron rolled his charge right back to the lead.

American Hot Rod played a game of “catch me if you can” through middle panels of :56.1 and 1:24.4 before finishing off the competition with a :30.2 final frame.  All Cantab, who enjoyed the pocket trip for the majority of the mile, wound up three-quarters of a length behind the winner while Good Luck Penny and Sylvain Filion finished third.

The four-horse entry, which was sent off at 1-2 in the wagering, only managed a fifth-place cheque.  The entry consisted of three Ben Baillargeon trainees (Kilted Pride – 5th, Homer Jay – 8th, Mcpride – 9th) and a pupil from the stable of trainer Rod Hughes (Winters Jewel – 6th).

Anthony Montini took over the training on American Hot Rod following a private purchase by Albina Montini, Paul Giammichele, Bill Rogers and Joseph Rogers following the opening leg of the series.  The six-time winner boosted his lifetime earnings to $76,951 with the victory.(WEG)