YONKERS, NY, Monday, May 15, 2017 – Nine harness racing 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.
Frank Drucker