by Carol Hodes, for the SBOA of New Jersey

Manalapan, NJ — Gold Rocks drew off to a 4-3/4 length victory in the $15,000 Lou Babic Memorial elimination, the seventh race on Saturday (Aug. 31) at Freehold Raceway.

Only Nubble Light, who finished last in the field of nine, failed to advance to the $96,200 Babic final on Sept. 7.

The Babic Filly division drew six and all will earn a spot on the gate in the $61,900 final, also on Sept. 7.

Gold Rocks, driven by George Brennan and trained by Tony Alagna, paced the mile in 1:56, posting his first win in his third career start. The son of Rocknroll Hanover-Full Of Gold races for Eagles Soar Partners, Alan Alber, Joe Sbrocco and Mystical Marker Farms LLC.

In addition to Gold Rocks, those qualifying for the Babic final are (in order of finish): Rocknroll Reality, Rock Absorber, Rock N Roll Legacy, In The Clear, Sweet Rock, Useful Hanover and Unadorned Hanover.

The Babics are restricted to 2-year-old New Jersey-sired pacers and are sponsored by the New Jersey Sire Stakes program.