Rock N Roll Heaven ready for Burlington

Many of the top 3-year-old colt pacers in North America will clash this Saturday night at Mohawk in a trio of divisions of the Burlington Stakes--the final local prep for the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup on Saturday, June 26.

 

One of the headliners is Rock N Roll Heaven who has drawn post two in the second $100,000(C) split in race eight.

 

The speedy son of Rocknroll Hanover-Artistic Vision already has a good foundation underneath him this season, having won four of five starts so far, including a devastating 1:48.3 win in the $200,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes final in his most recent outing and a victory in the $220,000 Berry’s Creek final back on May 8 at the Big M.

 

He was one of last season’s top rookie pacers and never missed the board in nine races while banking $614,186 along the way for owner Frank Bellino of Broxville, N.Y. He finished second in the $1 million Metro Pace and $600,000 Governors Cup before ending the season with a 1:50.2 tally in a division of the Bluegrass Stakes at Lexington’s Red Mile.

 

Trainer Bruce Saunders marvels at what the colt accomplished last year and could not be any happier with how he has come back so far in his sophomore season.

 

"I think his record speaks for itself-he’s bigger, stronger and faster," said Saunders. "I think he’s getting better with every start and that’s what you want to see at this stage. I wouldn’t trade colts with anybody at this point."

 

Coming into this year, Saunders was pointing Rock N Roll Heaven towards three major races--the North America Cup, Meadowlands Pace and Breeders Crown.

 

With five starts under his belt already, the compact pacer has a head start on some of his primary rivals in the division and that suits the trainer just fine.

 

"I’ve taken a little criticism for racing him in some of these earlier races," admitted Saunders. "But I really feel that these colts have to be stretched out before they come into races like this. His only loss this year came in the Berry’s Creek elimination and I think he needed that both physically and mentally. He’s realizing he’s not out there to play and he’s been a better horse since that race."

 

Rock N Roll Heaven will start from post two on Saturday night with regular pilot Daniel Dube listed to drive. He will face fellow NJSS competitor Ideal Matters and Bob McIntosh pupil Rock Me Please in his split.

 

Also competing in Saturday’s divisions will be last year’s Metro Pace champion Sportswriter who is making his second start of the campaign and recent Empire Breeders winner Dr. Dreamy. (WEG)