Rock N Roll Heaven grows larger every time he goes onto the racetrack. Not necessarily in size, but certainly in
stature.
Last weekend, the two-year-old colt held off all challengers as he won his Governor’s Cup elimination race in 1:50.3 at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack. It was the fastest mile ever paced by a two-year-old on a five-eighths-mile oval. The previous mark of 1:50.4 was set last year by If I Can Dream at Dover Downs.
“It was kind of an amazing performance that he could hold on to win after taking all that pressure and such fast fractions,” trainer Bruce Saunders said. “Everyone took a shot at him. He’s a tough enough horse to get there first. He’s very tenacious.”
Rock N Roll Heaven, driven by Dan Dube, battled for the lead outside of All Speed Hanover through an opening quarter-mile of :26.4 seconds. After getting the top spot, he fought off a challenge from Windfall Blue Chip as the field hit the halfway point in :54.1 seconds. From there, All Speed Hanover and Versado kept on the pressure the remainder of the race. Rock N Roll Heaven won by 1-1/2 lengths over Versado.
“He’s a medium-sized horse for a two-year-old, but he races bigger than his size,” Saunders said. “He’s grown every time he’s raced; every time he gets a little tougher. Suddenly, he doesn’t look quite as small. He’s got a great gait and is very efficient and he really enjoys the competition. He’s just big enough to go with the horses he’s racing with, so that’s enough size.”
So far this year, Rock N Roll Heaven has won the New Jersey Sire Stakes championship and was second in the $920,000 Metro Pace on September 5 at Mohawk Racetrack in Ontario.
Frank Bellino bought Rock N Roll Heaven, originally a $57,000 yearling purchase by Roy O’Hagan, in June after the horse won qualifiers in 1:59.3 and 1:57.3 at Scioto Downs in Ohio. The colt is by Rocknroll Hanover, out of the mare Artistic Vision. His mother won the 2003 Overbid Series and is a full sister to 2003 Adios winner Armbro Animate.
“My owner had enough courage to take a swing at a big number off little or no information,” Saunders said, declining to discuss the price tag, but adding, “It was more than you’re supposed to pay off two qualifiers at Scioto in [1:]59 and [1:]57. You knew he was out of a great mare and, I think, the new-age stallion, Rocknroll Hanover.”
Rock N Roll Heaven is a half brother to Clear Vision, which at the time of the sale might not have seemed as significant as it has become in recent weeks. Clear Vision, who was purchased for $180,000 as a yearling, won three of his first 26 races, but since August 23 has won a leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes in a career best 1:49.3 (also a track record at Harrah’s Chester) and finished second in both the Cane Pace and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championship.
“In retrospect, we got a bargain and everyone would have liked to have been in our shoes,” Saunders said. “My owner was aggressive enough to take that kind of risk and he’s been rewarded.”
In the Metro Pace, Rock N Roll Heaven finished second to Sportswriter’s world record 1:49.2 mile. Rock N Roll Heaven was two-fifths of a second behind the winner.
“He’s never gone a bad effort,” Saunders said. “When he was beaten he was either out of position or beaten by a better horse. He’s always put in a high quality effort and had as much or more pace than anyone finishing. [The Governor’s Cup elim] probably just stretched him out some more. I think in the Metro when he got stretched out in [1:]49.4, having been at that rate of speed made last week’s effort within the realm.”
Following the Governor’s Cup, Rock N Roll Heaven will head to Lexington’s Red Mile to race. That will be his final stop for the season because he is not eligible to the Breeders Crown. The colt has won three of seven races, with three second-place finishes and a third, while earning $372,726.
“I’d like to say I looked him in the eye and knew he was a top one. We just got lucky and took a swing on a good horse,” Saunders said. “He’s a little spoiled, which we don’t mind. He takes very good care of himself. He doesn’t waste any energy in the barn. He’s a very intelligent horse. Every time he races I kind of scratch my head that he’s so eager to work and enjoys the competition so much.
“He seems to understand exactly what he’s out there for.”
Here is a look at the field for the Governor’s Cup in post position order with listed drivers and trainers:
1. Malicious, David Miller, Ian Moore
2. Nova Artist, Ron Pierce, Noel Daley
3. Rock N Roll Heaven, Daniel Dube, Bruce Saunders
4. One More Laugh, Tim Tetrick, Ray Schnittker
5. Dr Dreamy, Brian Sears, George Teague Jr.
6. Rockin Image, John Campbell, Jimmy Takter
7. Versado, Yannick Gingras, Richard Norman
8. Sand Savage, Brett Miller, Jim Arledge Jr.
(Harness Racing Communications)