Freshman pacers in Bluegrass action at Red Mile

Daniel Dube sent Rock N Roll Heaven to the front in the first of three $139,800 divisions of the Bluegrass for 2-year-old colt pacers Saturday afternoon at The Red Mile, and the son of Rocknroll Hanover never looked back en route to a career-best 1:50.2 victory.

 

Coming off a runner-up finish behind One More Laugh in the world-record 1:49.3 mile in the $600,000 Governor's Cup at Harrah's Chester, Rock N Roll Heaven set fractions of :27.2, :55.2 and 1:24.3 before closing out the mile with a final quarter of :25.4--with a strong wind at his back. Longshot Shoobee's Place rallied late to get second behind the 3-5 favorite for driver David Miller, with Woodstock and Tim Tetrick third.

 

Trainer Bruce Saunders said in the winner's circle that Saturday's start was the last of the year for Rock N Roll Heaven; he isn't eligible to the International Stallion Stakes next week at The Red Mile nor the Breeders Crown later this month at Woodbine. Owned by Frank Bellino of Bronxville, N.Y., Rock N Roll Heaven has earnings of more than $590,000.

 

The second $139,800 division sent to Rockin Image and driver John Campbell in a career-best 1:50.4. Campbell left with Rockin Image from the outside post nine, dropped in fourth, and then moved to the lead at the :54.2 half. Reaching three quarters in 1:23, Rockin Image opened up a five-length lead on the field in midstretch and cruised to the wire comfortably in front by about the same margin over runner-up Perrito Caliente and Ron Pierce. Aracache Hanover and Jim Morrill Jr. were third

 

A son of Rocknroll Hanover, Rockin Image is the first foal out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Kikikatie. Owned by Susan Grange's Lothlorien, Rockin Image won for the second time in six starts to increase his earnings to more than $170,000.

 

The third division went to All Speed Hanover and driver Pierce in a career-best 1:50.3. Pierce rallied All Speed Hanover with a big move around the final turn and then had enough to hold off Bettor Again and driver Jim Morrill Jr. to earn his third win in five starts. Payne's Landing finished third for Miller.

 

A son of Cam's Card Shark, All Speed Hanover is out of the No Nukes mare Allamerican Cool, she a half sister to the $3.7 million-winning Eternal Camnation. A $60,000 yearling purchase, All Speed Hanover had just $7,400 on his card heading into Saturday's race. He left the winner's circle now with more than $77,000 for owners Adam Victor & Son Stable and John Fielding. Noel Daley is the trainer.