by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — After romping to a 1:50.1 victory in the $181,913 Matron Final at Dover Downs on Sunday (Nov. 28), Rock N Roll Heaven now goes to harness racing heaven where he will stand stallion duty at Blue Chip Farm in 2011. On the same card, pacers Powerful Mist and Dyslexic and trotters All Clear and First Captain posted second leg $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund victories in colt and gelding divisions, setting up next week’s $100,000 finals.

Fotowon photo

Rock N Roll Heaven was a 1:50.1 winner in the Matron Final on Sunday.

In his final career race, Daniel Dube got Rock N Roll Heaven away quickly, taking the lead at the start and never looking back en route to his 16th victory of the season in 21 races. The triumph gave the 3-year-old son of Rocknroll Hanover-Artistic Vision $2,156,192 in earnings this year and $2,748,818 in his two seasons of racing for owner Frank Bellino of Bronxville, N.Y.

The Bruce Saunders trainee was alone at the finish line with Delmarvalous (Brian Sears) the next best by 3-1/4 lengths. Rockin Image, after coming to the outside for a challenge on the clubhouse turn, finished third for Yannick Gingras. Dreamlands Art (George Brennan) was fourth with Windfall Blue Chip (Montrell Teague), part of the George Teague entry with Delmarvalous, taking fifth-place honors.

Powerful Mist rang up his ninth win of the season, winning his second straight DSBF $20,000 prelim, holding off Three Martini’s (Montrell Teague) easily in a 1:53.1 mile. Jim Morand drove the freshman son of Powerful Toy-Misty Speed for owners Niel Gargiulo, Louie Paglierani and Legacy Racing. Wayne Givens trains the winner of $207,537 this year. Princely Asset (Roger Plante) finished third.

George Dennis drove Donna Rae Sullivan’s Dyslexic, by Three Olives-Spell Check, to his second straight DSBF win, coming from behind to catch front pacing Green Olives (Art Stafford, Jr.) in the final strides for a 1:54.4 score in a second prelim. Powerful Odds (John Wagner) was the show horse.

All Clear, owned, trained and driven by Carlo Poliseno, won the faster of two DSBF rookie trots in 2:00.2.The CR Commando-Partial Clearing colt was chased home by Horton Who (Roger Plante) and Obey The Command (Brad Hanners), second and third, respectively.

First Captain led off the day’s proceedings with a 2:01.4 DSBF trot win, his second straight prelim triumph, with Ross Wolfenden driving the CR Commando-Bonfire Hanover gelding for Sharon White, Blake Baker and Legacy Racing.

The top eight point-getters in each division will race in four DSBF finals next Sunday.

Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday racing begins at 5:30 p.m. No live racing on Fridays. Parking and admission is free. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call 302.674.4600.