Yonkers, NY --- 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 events 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 26) sixth race.
The open draw probably didn’t bother one elimination winner, Trump Nation (Jason Bartlett, post four), though it cheesed off the other, Decoy (David Miller, post eight).
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 8-1/2 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 (David 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 fillies.
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 Miller).
First post for the 12-race card is the usual 6:50 p.m.