White Rocks goes gate-to-wire in Cincinnati Trophy

Feb 21, 2025 Kevin Kerstein/Kentucky Racing Communications

FLORENCE, Ky. (Friday, Feb. 21, 2025) – Jastar Capital Ltd., Polivka Equine Holdings LLC and Timothy Madden’s White Rocks grabbed the lead at the break and never looked back, securing a front-running victory in Friday’s 43rd running of the $175,000 Cincinnati Trophy at Turfway Park Racing & Gaming, the prep race season finale on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.

All 11 fillies broke in a perfect line by starter Caleb Hays but White Rocks quickly established control on the front end under jockey Victor Carrasco. She set fractions of :24.38 for the opening quarter-mile and expanded her lead to seven lengths through a half-mile in :47.79.

At the top of the stretch, she maintained a three-length advantage as Admit launched her late bid. Despite Admit’s rally, White Rocks held firm to win by 1 1/4 lengths, with Somethinabouther closing from eighth to finish third.

Trained by Arnaud Delacour, White Rocks completed the one-mile contest in 1:39.69.

“She has a lot of speed but you don’t have to do much to get her to the front,” Carrasco said. “The turn came up quick and you have to be alert to secure position early.”

.@kaitlinefree nails the exacta in the Cincinnati Trophy! 💰

White Rocks takes them all the way at 5/1 under Victor Carrasco for trainer Arnaud Delacour! 🏆

🎥 TwinSpriesReplay pic.twitter.com/fF0NOMvedZ

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 22, 2025

White Rocks rewarded her backers by returning $13.30, $7.06 and $3.98. Admit, under jockey Irving Moncada, paid $8.94 and $6.22. Somethinabouther paid $6.40 to show.

Bracelet finished a neck behind Somethinabouther in fourth. She was followed by 2-1 favorite Girl Math, Salt, Tiger Division, Just Ruthless, Pure Majestic, She’s all Charm and Wondrous.

This was White Rocks’ second-career victory from just three starts. The talented daughter of Frosted has now banked $166,354 in purse earnings.

The Cincinnati Trophy awarded Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale to the top five finishers. The race serves as the local prep for the March 22, $300,000 Bourbonette Oaks, run on the undercard of the $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII).

Live racing will resume Saturday at Turfway Park for a 10-race program featuring the $175,000 John Battaglia Memorial (Listed). First post is 5:55 p.m.