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Monday, May 21, 2018

POST POSITIONS DRAWN FOR ART ROONEY, LISMORE PACES



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

YONKERS, NY, Monday, May 21, 2018—Post positions have been drawn for Yonkers Raceway’s $300,000 Art Rooney Pace and $111,444 Lismore.

The 28th Rooney, one of Yonkers’ premier event’s for the sport’s glamour division, offers six 3-year-old colts and two geldings. The event, which began in 1989, a year after the death of Art Rooney Sr., goes as Saturday night’s (May 26th) sixth race.

The open draw probably didn’t bother one elimination winner (Trump Nation [Jason Bartlett, post 4]), though it cheesed off the other (Decoy [Dave Miller, post 8]).

Miller, who has won this race three times, including last season with Downbytheseaside, obviously has his work cut out behind the son of Somebeachsomewhere. Jimmy Takter trains for Brixton Medical, R A W Equine and Joe Sbrocco.

Decoy won his elim going away, by 8½ lengths in a ‘good’ 1:54.

Bartlett, the perennial leading local driver, has never won the Rooney. Trump Nation took over early a week ago, making the lead from an eventual breaker and holding sway. He won by a head in 1:53.3. his fastest purse mile of the season.

The Betterthancheddar colt enters the final with new co-ownership (Evan Katz and Crawford Racing) and  new trainer (Chris Oakes).

The field, with declared drivers…1-Minnie Vinnie (Tim Tetrick), 2-Kwik Talkin’ (Jordan Stratton listed), 3-Springsteen (Brian Sears), 4-Trump Nation (Jason Bartlett), 5-Jimtastic (Eric Goodell), 6-Major Authority (Yannick Gingras), 7-Babes Dig Me (Brett Miller), 8-Decoy (Dave Miller).    

The 14th Lismore, companion event to the Rooney, was carded as the fifth race. Lone elimination winner Jewels Forreal (Dan Dube) landed in post No. 2 among the octet of 3-year-old pacing.

The field, with declared drivers…1-Solitary (Brent Holland), 2-Jewels Forreal (Dan Dube), 3-Believe in Me (Brian Sears), 4-Pass Line Bluechip (Jason Bartlett), 5-Python Blue Chip (George Brennan) 6-Alexa’s Power (Tim Tetrick), 7-Checkered Past (Mark MacDonald), 8-Reign on Me (Brett Miler).

First post for the 12-race card is the usual 6:50 PM.