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.
