BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
The
22nd edition of the Rooney--named for the founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers
and patriarch of the family which has owned Yonkers Raceway since 1972--began
with Dynamic Youth (Andrew McCarthy), the lone gelding in the group, making a
break.
As expected, the remaining rivals lined up behind pole-sitting, 3-5 favorite
Bolt the Duer (Mark MacDonald). Pet Rock leaving from post position No. 4, was afforded the luxury of a
first-turn pocket, slipping in front of 60-1 rank outsider Domethatagain (Jim
Morrill Jr.). Hurrikane Kingcole (Tim Tetrick) was away fourth.
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| Pet Rock (4, Brian Sears) passing Bolt The Duer (1, Mark MacDonald), winning the $306,404 Art Rooney Pace at Yonkers Raceway (Mike Lizzi Photo) |
The favorite, owned a length-and-a-half lead turning for home, but began to
bear out and wind up in close quarters with Hurrikane Kingcole. That left Pet
Rock with ample room up the inside, which he took en route to half-length win
in 1:51. Bolt the Duer survived a judges' second look to remain second, with
Hurrikane Kingcole, Major Bombay (Jason Bartlett) and Domethatagain rounding
out the payees. Dynamic Youth was outrun after his early happenstance.
For Pet Rock, a son of Rocknroll Hanover owned by Frank Bellino of nearby
Bronxville, NY, and trained by Virgil Morgan, he returned $10 (third choice)
for his second win in three seasonal starts. The exacta paid $22.40, with the
triple returning $46.80.
The mile, taken on a windy and cool evening, was both a stakes record (Fully
Loaded-1:51.4 in 2001) as well as a new track record for 3-year-old colts
(Riyadh-1:51.2 back in '93).
"He's just a sweetheart to drive," Sears--who won this race for a
second time--said. "I mean, I knew Mark wanted to cut the mile with (Bolt
the Duer), but once I was able to get in behind, I figured he'd carry me. I was
proud of him."
"You never know how a horse is going to react in their first start over a
half," Morgan said, "but that was the case with the three of them
(Pet Rock, Bolt the Duer, Hurrikane Kingcole). "I had no reason to think
he wouldn't handle it, and Brian gave him the perfect trip.
"The Bellinos are from here, and they wanted to race in the Rooney, and
I'm glad for them. The history of this race is
short fields. Tonight, there were only six going for $300,000. A lot of it
is luck of draw and things might have worked out differently had we had the
five or the six. The purse money here was better than the (New Jersey Sire
Stakes) race at the Meadowlands and those races might have been tougher.
“I think this was a wise
decision. This is a race that flies under the radar. Hopefully, we
can move on from here."
Please be advised the Raceway goes on recess for live racing and evening
simulcasting until Friday, June 15. Afternoon simulcasting remains available
around the NYA schedule, with first post for next Saturday's Belmont Stakes
card at 11:35AM.
