by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Toronto, ON — Bruce Saunders is no stranger to campaigning 3-year-olds to lucrative seasons. Last year, the East Rutherford, N.J., resident campaigned Rock N Roll Heaven to top honors on both sides of the border for owner Frank Bellino. The son of Rocknroll Hanover captured 16 of 21 starts as a 3-year-old before retiring with $2,748,818 in earnings and a 1:47.3 speed badge.

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Lookinforadventure banked $219,438 in 2010 as a juvenile.

Now, this year, Saunders is hoping to give owner Frank Bellino another horse of a lifetime in Lookinforadventure. The son of Rocknroll Hanover-Student Driver earned $219,438 last year as a freshman with a victory in the $200,000 New Jersey Sires Stakes final.

Lookinforadventure faced a minor setback to begin his 2011 season but Saunders is confident his charge can rebound.

“In his first qualifier, Danny (Dube) had a problem getting him to the gate,” Saunders said. “He wouldn’t turn to the left for some reason, so when we finally got him turned, he was gapped off by two lengths.

“Danny had to chase him off the gate but the horse got too hot and Danny had issues steering him.”

Lookinforadventure captured the qualifier in a comfortable 1:54 but that didn’t satisfy Saunders.

“We decided to come back the following week and made some equipment changes to quiet him down; it worked out well.”

Adversity struck again in the horse’s first pari-mutuel start at Harrah’s Chester. Lookinforadventure was given the rail position which did not suit him as the horse lightly hit the starting gate, which sent the horse off-stride. With the break in stride, the four-time winner had to qualify for a third time, which resulted in a 1:54 effort in a second-place finish.

This past Friday (April 29) marked the colt’s second 2011 appearance which pleased Saunders despite a third-place finish.

“I was delighted with his effort,” he said. “He finished third, yes, but the way he raced I was pleased with. We elected to race him off-the-pace and he had to go three-wide early in the mile due to slow cover and he responded well at the wire. His manners were exceptional and Tim’s (Tetrick) comments following the race were also positive.”

Saunders was also quick to comment how the appearance of Lookinforadventure has changed over the course of the winter.

“He’s bigger and stronger. He thickened out quite a bit, which I knew he would. He had a great winter with no setbacks.”

The veteran conditioner stated the obvious horse to catch this season is Big Jim.

“Big Jim had a sensational 2-year-old campaign. I think it’s safe to say that he’s got about two lengths on the rest of us coming into this year. Hopefully we can catch him.”

Lookinforadventure’s first major test will be the New Jersey Classic eliminations, set for May 21, with the final on May 28.