Rock Fall’s victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $400,000 Vosburgh at Belmont Park marked the seventh straight win for the 4-year-old Speightstown colt, who has not lost since his debut.
The win also earned Rock Fall’s an all-fees paid trip to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) next month at Keeneland as part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” program.
Rock Fall is one of Speightstown’s 12 stakes winners this year, with his Vosburgh win pushing Speightstown’s 2015 progeny earnings past $8 million.
Breaking from the outside in the field of seven, Rock Fall got into a good spot about a length behind the duo of Wildcat Red and Weekend Hideaway. Going very easily while three wide on the turn, Rock Fall was in a four-way scramble for the lead at the top of the stretch.
Javier Castellano asked Rock Fall for his best at the top of the lane, and the colt turned back all his challengers to best Salutos Amigos by a neck in 1:08.70 for the six furlongs.
“The race set up for me perfect today, even though we had an outside post,” said Castellano. “With that kind of position, I had to make my own decision, use my own judgment. The other horses sort of forced me to the outside out of the gate and we went towards the lead and stayed in third but kept track of the other horses. Turning for home, I asked him and he just took off for me, very easily. It was perfect though and a good set up.”
Winning trainer Todd Pletcher compared his latest stable star to Speightstown, who Pletcher also trained to championship honors.
“He’s blessed with a lot of natural talent but to go along with that he’s got a lot of fight which is great,” said Pletcher. “There’s a lot of similarities between him and his sire (Speightstown) and the way they train. You wouldn’t necessarily know they’re as good as they are watching in the mornings he can be a little idle, but you just have confidence that come game time, he will show up. I was a little worried, I didn’t quite overdo it with training coming into this race. I wanted to get this one and still have something for the Breeders’ Cup so I was hoping I didn’t cut it too close and he pulled it out. He’s been winning races since March and seven in row so we just want to continue ticking over.”
Rock Fall’s seven race winning streak includes victories in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1) and True North S. (G2). He has earned $749,180 for owner Stonestreet Stables, who bought him for $250,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected Yearlings sale.
