Roland N Rock, fresh off an impressive 1:53.2 qualifier at Running Aces in Minnesota, is headed east to take on the ‘big boys’.
The sophomore son of Rocknroll Hanover’s next scheduled start is the Landmark Stake on July 4th followed by The Meadowlands Pace eliminations the next weekend.
Lightly staked at two, owners Duane and Connie Roland of Grinnell, Iowa, have their pride and joy staked to many of North America’s marquee three-year-old events.
Roland N Rock was undefeated in 14 starts during his freshman campaign, including a dozen wins on the Iowa fair circuit. He did, however, also win the Review Stake at Springfield, Illinois in 1:51.2 and the American-National at Balmoral in 1:52.2.
He has prepped for his trip east with another three Iowa fair victories in addition to the quick qualifier at Running Aces’ highly-acclaimed five-eighths mile oval.
“We waited a lifetime for a horse this good,” related Duane Roland, who owns the horse with his wife Connie. “We went to the Harrisburg sale during the dispersal of Perretti pacing broodmares and plucked his mother Hacks Chip (by Cambest) out for $6000. She was in foal to Rocknroll Hanover and this colt was the resultant foal. We’ve turned down some generous offers because this is a dream come true for us. We want to see how far the dream takes us!”
“I’ve driven his in all his Iowa fair wins, but we’re hoping to get John Campbell when we come east,” Roland related. “I’ve honed on him pretty good leading up to this qualifier and we’re really excited to see how he stacks up against the best ones out there.”
(Running Aces)