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Tuesday, May 16, 2017

NINE ENTERED FOR ART ROONEY PACE; LISMORE ATTRACTS 15

BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Monday, May 15, 2017—Nine 3-year-old gentlemen—six colts and three geldings—have been entered for Yonkers Raceway’s 27th Art Rooney Pace.

The number of entrants means there’s a game of musical chairs this Saturday night (May  20th), as in nine in a  $40,000 elimination paring down to the eight finalists. That octet is set to return week from Saturday (May 27th) for the $300,000 final.  

This season’s Rooney is led by Downbytheseaside. The son of Somebeachsomewhere is a world record-holder as the fastest frosh (1:50 at Delaware, OH) ever over a half-mile oval. His life-best 1:49 Red Mile effort matched the world record for 2-year-olds at the two-turn mile.

The son of Somebeachsomewhere has won nine of his 14 career starts ($596,016), hitting the board in all of them. He began his soph season with a 1:52.1 win in a ‘sloppy’ Pennsylvania Sire Stakes event at the Meadows.

Brian Brown trains for co-owners Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco, Richard Lombardo and Diamond Creek Racing.  ‘Seaside’ is the Saturday night’s back-of-the-bus number, starting from post position No. 9.

The elim goes as the 8th race, drew as such…

1-Funknwaffles (g), Brian Sears, 2-Miso Fast, Matt Kakaley, 3-Mac’s Jackpot (g), Jason Bartlett, 4- Summer Side, Ray Schnittker, 5-Heaven’s Gait. Jordan Stratton, 6- Stealth Bomber, Brett Miller, 7-Henry the Dragon, Montrell Teague, 8-Rollin’ About (g), Brent Holland, 9-Downbytheseaside, Dave Miller.

The companion event, the 13th edition of the Lismore, attracted 15 sophomore pacing fillies. Thus, a pair of $20,000 elims are carded this Saturday, with the first four finishers in each returning for the final ($140,770).

First elim (4rh race)…1-Ashlee’s Spitfire, Dan Dube, 2- Rockette, Kakaley, 3- Caviart Ally, Andrew McCarthy, 4- Tequila Monday-Brian Sears, 5-V String, McCarhty also listed (coupled with Caviart Ally), 6- Planet Rock, Tim Tetrick, 7- Twist of Fate, Mark MacDonald, 8-Agent Q, Dave Miller.

Second elim (5th race)…1-Big City Betty, Jim Marohn Jr., 2- Caviart Cherie, McCarthy, 3- World Apart, Tetrick, 4- Gotthisone Hanover, George Brennan, 5-Ain’t Three OK, Sears, 6-Ideal Plan, Bartlett, 7-Warrawee Sunshine. McCarthy also listed.

            (Story shall be updated with program changes).