by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Lexington, KY — Frank Bellino’s Rock N Roll Heaven lowered his lifetime mark to 1:50.2 with an impressive front end victory in the $139,800 first division of the Bluegrass for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Saturday (Oct. 3) at The Red Mile.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Rock N Roll Heaven lowered his lifetime mark to 1:50.2 in the $139,800 first division of the Bluegrass for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

The victory was the fourth in nine career starts for the Rocknroll Hanover-Artistic Vision juvenile, who is trained by Bruce Saunders and was driven to victory by Daniel Dube. With his share of the purse, Rock N Roll Heaven lifted his season’s earnings to $592,626.

A runner-up in the lucrative finals of the Metro and Governor’s Cup, Rock N Roll Heaven was sent right to the lead by Dube from post six and set fractions of :27.2, :55.2 and 1:24.3. Heading for home the only question would be the final margin of victory as Rock N Roll Heaven paced a final quarter in :25.4 to reach the wire in 1:50.2. Shoobee’s Place (David Miller) finished second, while Woodstock (Tim Tetrick) was third.

“You have to pinch yourself to remember these are 2-year-olds going this speed,” said Bruce Saunders. “He’s been a model of consistency and impressive each time out.”

Saunders added that this was the final start in 2009 for Rock N Roll Heaven, who is not eligible to the Breeders Crown.

The second $139,800 Bluegrass split went to Lothlorien’s Rockin Image (John Campbell) who overcame post nine to score in a personal best 1:50.4 for trainer Jimmy Takter. It was the second triumph in six trips behind the gate for the Rocknroll Hanover-Kikikatie colt, a winner of $170,486 in his 2009 campaign.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

The second $139,800 Bluegrass split went to Rockin Image (John Campbell) who overcame post nine to score in a personal best 1:50.4.

There was plenty of action early on in this division as Perrito Caliente (Ron Pierce) fired for the lead from post eight and took the field to the opening quarter in :26.4. Just Crowned (David Miller) pulled the pocket and grabbed the lead heading down the backstretch, then yielded to a hard charging Rockin Image who was on top by the :54.2 half-mile marker.

From there it was all Rockin Image as he set back-half fractions of 1:23 and 1:50.4. Perrito Caliente held for second and Aracache Hanover (Jim Morrill, Jr.) rallied to finish third.

The final $139,800 Bluegrass split went to Adam Victor & Son Stable and John Fielding’s All Speed Hanover and Ron Pierce in 1:50.3, lowering his lifetime speed badge by three full seconds.

The Cam’s Card Shark-Allamerican Cool freshman, a $60,000 yearling purchase, won for the third time in just five trips behind the gate. He has now banked $77,300 for trainer Noel Daley after earning $69,900 on Saturday afternoon.

Rock Me Please (John Campbell) left the gate from post position seven and cut all the fractions in this race, reaching the quarter in :26.4, the half in :54.1 and the three-quarters in 1:23.

All Speed Hanover sat well off the pace for the opening half, then moved first over on the leader at the three-quarter pole. Turning for home, All Speed Hanover charged to the front and opened up in the lane for the 1:50.3 triumph. Bettor Again (Jim Morrill, Jr.) made it a winning exacta for trainer Noel Daley, while Payne’s Landing was third for David Miller. Rock Me Please faded to sixth.