Highalator bounced back from equipment failure in his first 2021 appearance at the mountain oval to put up a game 1:51 victory in the $15,700 fast-class feature on the Kentucky Derby Day Saturday afternoon (May 1) card.
Regular pilot Rick Still guided the son of Somebeachsomewhere past Mykindachip to the :27.1 quarter, then got a breather to the half in :56.2. Bill Haley N made a big move at the leader up the backstretch with Rodeo Rock in tow, but Highalator was able to keep his first-over foe at bay by the 1:23.1 three-quarters and then withstand the oncoming Rodeo Rock by a length.
Highalator has now won 40 times in 90 trips behind the gate, with Pocono being a large contributor to that high win ratio, where he has won 16 times in 26 career starts. Trainer Jenny Bier co-owns the winner of $644,844 with Joann Dombeck and Midsize Construction.