Rocket Deo, My Sweet Lily prevail in New Jersey Classic finals

Friday, September 6, 2024

Sophomore Rocket Deo and freshman My Sweet Lily had no problems making their early foot take them to the wire and then to Victory Lane in Friday’s (Sept. 6) New Jersey Classic finals for pacing fillies at the Meadowlands.

Rocket Deo, a daughter of Captaintreacherous out of double millionaire Rocklamation, was sent off at 1-5 in the $150,000 New Jersey Classic final for 3-year-old pacing fillies, and she lived up to that billing with a 1:50.1 victory.

Andy McCarthy was content to race Rocket Deo behind the early cover of his brother Todd, guiding second choice Miraculous Deo, as that one cleared just past a :26.3 initial split. Rocket Deo then moved to the front, reaching the half in :55.3 and then three-quarters in 1:23.3 as Donegal Spirit gained uncovered on the far turn. The race boiled down to these three, with Miraculous Deo edging out of the pocket late and Donegal Spirit lasting bravely after the grinding trip, but they were no match for Rocket Deo, who triumphed by a length over Miraculous Deo, with Donegal Spirit another neck back in third.

Rocket Deo, whom Brett Pelling trains, now has eight seasonal victories and a lifetime bankroll of $340,951 for Morrison Racing Stables and John Fielding.

“She’s a big, robust filly,” McCarthy noted after winning his second Classic. “I wasn’t really worried about my filly (holding onto the lead). I gave her a few taps to remind her to go on; she always gives her best every week.”

In the $150,000 New Jersey Classic Final for 2-year-old pacing fillies, 4-5 favorite My Sweet Lily was driven like she was the best by Yannick Gingras, and she came home in :26.4 to set a lifetime mark of 1:51.2.

The daughter of Sweet Lou-Mimi’s Lily cleared long shot Fashion Terror just before a :27.4 quarter with Worklifebalance and Reckless Abandon landing in third and fourth, respectively. Gingras backed off the half to :56.4, then turned up the speed to reach the three-quarters in 1:24.3 as Worklifebalance came first-over entering the far turn, with Reckless Abandon on her back. Into the stretch, My Sweet Lily opened a clear advantage with Fashion Terror not quite keeping tight in the pocket, Worklifebalance giving way after her two-move effort, and Reckless Abandon not able to produce enough late kick. Instead, the best late foot came from Rodeo Drive Deo, who flew home from fourth-over to get within 1-1/4 lengths of My Sweet Lily. Fashion Terror lasted for third in a photo over Daily Double Deo.

Nancy Takter, who trains My Sweet Lily for Marvin and Lynn Katz and Caviart Farms, said, “She may have been a bit short in her debut (at Harrah’s Philadelphia) because she missed some time, and I needed a race for her. But now she is showing the ability I thought she always had in her. We’re considering the She’s A Great Lady (at Woodbine Mohawk Park) for her.”