Rock Ya Later Makes Bid For Year-End Honors With King Rick Rack Stakes Victory

HOBBS, NM–DECEMBER 15, 2024–Rock Ya Later threw a wrench in year-end distance honors on Sunday when he defeated a field champion honors hopefuls in the Grade 2 $100,000 King Rick Rack Stakes at Zia Park.

Let go at 5/2 Rock Ya Later, and jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr. outlasted post-time favorite The Grand Legend to win by a half. The 4-year-old son of multiple stakes sire Rock Solid Jess completed the 870 yards in 44.594 Seconds, equaling a 104-speed index into a 10 mph headwind.

Tammy Kay Johnson saddled the black gelding to his fifth career win in 24 starts for owner Rockin J Running Horses. Melissa Slayton bred the Rock Ya Later in Texas from the Separatist mare Dosvedanya. The $59,400 winner purse brings Rock Ya Later's earnings to $174,192.

Multiple graded stakes winner The Grand Legend earned $19,800 for finishing second. Jockey Noe Villatoro had the riding call aboard the FDD Going Grand 8-year-old for trainer Adan Guzman and owner James Whitener, LLC. Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm, LLC bred the gelding in Texas from the Tres Seis mare Legendary Seis. He has earned $412,380 off 16 wins in 40 starts.

Marquez Racing LLC's Ah Mr Lana Del Rey finished 2-1/2 lengths back to earn $9,900 for third. Trainer Daniel Cano named jockey Alfredo Sigala to ride the Apollitical Blood 5-year-old. Aaron Harvey bred the $175,407 earner in Louisiana from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Wagon Del Rey.

Lip Chip AQHA Distance Challenge Championship(G1) winner Volcoms Favorite finished fourth, followed by Markus Aurelius, Jess Rite, and Revenant Eagle.

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