Candy Man Rocket was a no-show on the racetrack last month at Oaklawn Park, finishing last of 10 in the Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3). A home game left the sprinter more composed and produced a more typical effort May 13. Racing at Belmont Park, where he has been stabled and has trained since he went from his winter base in South Florida to Arkansas for the Count Fleet, the 5-year-old son of Candy Ride responded by coming from just off the pace to defeat Twisted Ride by a length and a half.
Candy Man Rocket prevailed Saturday despite not being “great in saddling today—he was a little wound up,” Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said. But once the horse began to warm up on the track, he settled down,” Mott added. “At least he showed up. The other day he just spit it out. He can run, he’s just got to get the right trip.”