Since late last year, trainer Bruce Saunders has told anyone that will listen that Rock N Roll Heaven is the real deal. After a blazing 1:47.3 victory in his Meadowlands Pace elimination last weekend, Saunders doesn't want to hear about pressure
heading into the final.
"I don't feel any pressure. The horse (Rock N Roll Heaven) can't read the program. I've got a guy (driver John Campbell) that's dealt with pressure all of his life. He (Campbell) won't be fazed by the money we're going for or the magnitude of the race," Saunders told Meadowlands Racetrack Statistician Bob 'Hollywood' Heyden during the Meadowlands Pace post position draw on Wednesday.
"John is a great driver. I can't be any more comfortable having him driving the colt," Saunders said. "So, I'm happy to be the favourite; I'm happy to be a contender. I really wouldn't want to be coming in here with a 15-1 shot hoping to get a cheque. I know we have a horse that has a chance to win. If he's as good as he was last week, and doesn't suffer any bad luck, he's got a major shot."
"He was certainly very sharp in his elimination," said Campbell. "I think he's going into the race as good as he possibly can. With a good post and a sharp horse, that's all you can ask for going into the race."
Click here for a Meadowlands Pace program page.