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>Rock N Roll Heaven scores in the Matron Stakes Eliminations


Dover, DE --- Rock N Roll Heaven and Delmarvalous recorded Matron Elimination wins while the pacers Powerful Mist and Dyslexic, along with the trotters Obey The Command and First Captain, won Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 2-year-old first leg, $20,000 preliminaries on Sunday, Nov. 21 at Dover Downs.


Frank Bellino’s Rock N Roll Heaven lived up to expectations, dominating his $30,319 Matron Stakes Elimination with a scintillating 1:50.1 victory. Both Daniel Dube, driving Rock N Roll Heaven and the second place finisher, Rockin Image, with Yannick Gingras, got away softly before Dube unleashed his Bruce Saunders trainee heading to the half mile to easily take the lead with the Progress Pace winner alertly moving right behind into second. From there on it was all Rock N Roll Heaven, with Rockin Image chasing from behind.


Daniel Dube drove the Rocknroll Hanover--Artistic Vision 3-year-old to his 15th win of the season in 20 races and advanced his 2010 bankroll to $2,065,231. Windfall Blue Chip, handled by Montrell Teague, closed from last on the backstretch to finish third, while Urgent Action, the early leader with David Miller driving, finished fourth to qualify for next Sunday’s $181,913 Matron Stakes Final.


Delmarvalous received a patient drive from Brian Sears as the Tim Tetrick-driven Valentino cut a :25.4 opening quarter after dueling with Wellthereyougo and Daniel Dube from the starting gate. Delmaravalous moved up from fourth behind cover heading to the final turn, and then from second zoomed past the leaders on the way to an easy, 1:50.2 victory by three-quarter lengths.


The Delaware-bred Badlands Hanover--Prymetyme Scootie colt chalked up his third win of the year for owners Elmer Fannin, Badlands Racing and George Teague, Jr. The win lifted Delmaravalous to $565,445 won this season. Valentino took second in front of Dreamlands Art with George Brennan driving. Tobago Cays and David Miller also made the final, finishing fourth.


In DSBF opening week action, the odds-on favorite Powerful Mist teamed with Jim Morand to turn back six rivals for a 1:53.2 conquest. It was the sixth win in his last seven starts with only a second in the Matron Stakes Final marring his recent record. Niel Gargiulo, Louie Paglierani and Legacy Racing of Delaware own the Powerful Toy--Misty Speed colt, now a winner eight times this year, earning $197,537. Three Martini’s (Montrell Teague) was the runner-up. Conartist Hanover (Eric Goodell) was the third place finisher.


Dyslexic was not distorted en route to a 1:55.2 score in the other $20,000 DSBF colt pace. George Dennis drove the Donna Rae Sullivan-owned Three Olives--Spell Check gelding to his fort win of the year. Badlands Challenge (Ron Pierce) and Green Olives (Art Stafford, Jr.) were second and third, respectively.


First Captain romped to a 2:01.4 victory in one of two $20,000 male trots. Ross Wolfenden guided the CR Commando--Bonfire Hanover gelding to his fifth win of the season in eight starts for Sharon White, Blake Baker and Legacy Racing of Delaware. All Clear (Carlo Poliseno) was second with Warrhawk One (Vic Kirby) third.


Obey The Command notched his third win of the year as Brad Hanners steered the CR Commando--Ressie colt home in 2:04 in the second DSBF trot. It was the third win in his last four outings for the LeBlanc Racing and Winbak Farm freshman. Smart Strike (Art Stafford, Jr.) was next with Horton Who (Roger Plante) the show horse.


Next Sunday, the top four finishers in each of the Matron Stakes Eliminations will return to race in the $181,913 final, and the DSBF prelims move to their second leg on Saturday, featuring pacing and trotting fillies, and then colt races on Sunday.