Foal Patrol: World Of Rocknroll wins in 1:56.4
June 22, 2009,by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications
Ken Weingartner, media relations manager for Harness Racing Communications, spent six weeks in 2007 following foaling activity at Perretti Farms in central New Jersey. On May 12, 2007 he was present for the birth of a pacing colt out of Worldly Beauty, by Rocknroll Hanover (see related articles at bottom of page). Now, the colt is in training as part of the Erv Miller Stable.
Freehold, NJ — As World Of Rocknroll headed to the starting gate for his first baby race, I admit to feeling a tiny bit apprehensive. For the past two years, it’s almost as though the colt existed more as a concept than a reality. Today, that changed. Today, he was on display for everyone to see.
Fortunately, the boy stepped out in style.
World Of Rocknroll (#2) lines up behind the starting gate for his baby race this morning at Gaitway Farms.
World Of Rocknroll, driven by Andy Miller, made his baby racing debut a winning one, stopping the clock in 1:56.4 this morning at Gaitway Farms in New Jersey. The colt sat second for most of the mile before moving three wide on the final turn and taking the lead in the stretch.
“He had a lot of pace in the lane and finished up real strong,” Andy said with a smile as he got ready to take out a horse in the next race.
“He was good; real good,” added Tony Alagna, the second trainer for the Erv Miller Stable and one of the horse’s owners. “He got a little steppy going into the first turn, just from the excitement of everything. Then he leveled out and was good after that. He relaxed really nice. He had a lot of go, a lot of pace, on the end of it and his manners were good.
“When Andy tipped him in the last turn and came three wide, he just took off.”
USTA/Ken Weingartner photos
World Of Rocknroll heads to the finish line in his 1:56.4 victory.
Alagna owns World Of Rocknroll with Erv Miller, John Fodera, Mystical Marker Farms, Fidencio Cervantez and Deo Volente Farm, which just recently bought a share of the horse. The colt was purchased as a yearling for $65,000 at last year’s Standardbred Horse Sale.
The next baby race for World Of Rocknroll is up in the air at this point. He could race again at Gaitway, or maybe at the Meadowlands. Or he might skip a week. There is no rush.
“We’ll play it by ear and see how he comes out of it,” Alagna said.
Even though World Of Rocknroll’s manners were good, he got a little lazy during the mile. But for a horse, at least in this situation, that apparently is perfectly OK. (Couldn’t we all be so lucky?)
“That’s exactly what you want,” Alagna said. “There’s plenty of time for being excited.”
And for being hopeful. Really hopeful.
- Foal Patrol: Peaceful Night (Wednesday, April 11, 2007)
Ken Weingartner, media relations manager for Harness Racing Communications, has embarked on a new adventure. Weingartner will foal watch at Perretti Farms in central New Jersey.
- Foal Patrol: Still waiting (Wednesday, April 18, 2007)
My second attempt at foal watching is going only somewhat better than my first; at least this time we believe there are several mares close to foaling.
- Foal Patrol: Special birth (Wednesday, April 25, 2007)
Every birth brings joy. Sometimes, though, the joy is a little more special.
- Foal Patrol: the birds and the bees (Wednesday, May 2, 2007)
Thoughs of soft light, romance, and courtship, as it turns out, have no place in the operation of a Standardbred breeding farm.
- Foal Patrol: A year later (Thursday, May 15, 2008)
When World Of Rocknroll was born, he came up to my chest. Now, I come to his. OK, that might be a slight exaggeration, but he’s certainly no longer looking up to me.
- Foal Patrol: World Of Rocknroll prepares for freshman campaign (Tuesday, March 17, 2009)
It is not difficult to get most horsemen to talk optimistically about their 2-year-olds right now.
- Foal Patrol: Pari-mutuel debut on Thursday for World Of Rocknroll (Wednesday, July 15, 2009)
World Of Rocknroll is a 10. In this case, though, we are not talking about rating his ability or looks. We’re talking about the post position for his first career race Thursday night at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
- Foal Patrol: Third place effort in debut for World Of Rocknroll (Friday, July 17, 2009)
World Of Rocknroll, driven as usual by Andy Miller, finished third last night, beaten by 4-3/4 lengths.
- Foal Patrol: In the winner’s circle (Friday, July 24, 2009)
World Of Rocknroll has had many new experiences over the past several weeks. On Thursday night came the best one yet — a trip to the winner’s circle!
- Foal Patrol: Heading to the Woodrow Wilson (Friday, August 14, 2009)
So, World Of Rocknroll finished sixth in a division of the Niatross at the Meadowlands on August 7, and now he is going to try his luck in Saturday’s Woodrow Wilson elims? What in the world of rock ‘n’ roll is the reasoning?
- Foal Patrol: Million-dollar baby? (Friday, September 04, 2009)
When the starting car goes into motion for Saturday night’s Metro Pace at Mohawk, World Of Rocknroll will have his nose on the gate.