Stonestreet Stables' Rock Fall earned his fifth straight victory and first graded stakes win June 5, taking the $250,000 True North Stakes (gr. II) by 3 3/4 lengths at Belmont Park (VIDEO).
The 4-year-old Speightstown colt completed six furlongs in 1:08.37 on a fast track while favored heavily at odds of 6-5 in a seven-horse field. It was his first start for trainer Todd Pletcher since taking an April 18 allowance by nine lengths going the same distance at Keeneland.
"When he broke his maiden last year, I thought he as going to be a good horse, and then he followed it up with a nice allowance win," Pletcher said. "He hat to take a little time off, but to win five in a row now is pretty hard to do, especially sprinting. He really found his groove."
Jockey Javier Castellano allowed Rock Fall to find his natural rhythm from his post on the far outside while Favorite Tale scooted out to lead the group. As a quarter went in :22.35, the colt moved up to third, his sights set on the frontrunner and on the pace-pressing Eastwood.
Heading around the turn through a :45.01 half, that trio was briefly three across the track, but Rock Fall kicked into second gear after straightening for home and drew off while clocking five-eighths in :56.48.
Stallwalkin' Dude came from last to get second, while Dads Caps also closed a neck back for third.
"This is a special hose," Castellano said. "You can do whatever you want with him. Everything worked out perfect for us."
Rock Fall returned $4.40, $3.10, and $2.40 while Stallwalkin' Dude brought $5.30 and $3.40. Dads Caps paid $2.80. Eastwood, Favorite Tale, Clearly Now, and Tenango completed the order of finish. Captain Serious scratched.
Bred in Kentucky by SF Bloodstock out of the stakes-winning Medaglia d'Oro mare Renda, Rock Fall was a $250,000 purchase from the Woods Edge consignment at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga select yearling sale. The dark bay or brown runner improved his record to those five wins from six starts for earnings of $299,180.
