The race office at Yonkers Raceway has completed the post position draw for the $300,000 Art Rooney Pace, which will headline the track’s card of live racing this Saturday (May 30).
The 25th edition of the ‘Rooney,’ one of the sport’s premier events for three-year-old male pacers, has been carded as Race 4 on the 12-dash program. The card will kick off with a 7:10 p.m. first-race post time. The field for the Rooney is expected to be called to the starting gate at 8:15 p.m.
Elimination winner In The Arsenal, who has already tallied three victories over Yonkers thus far in his career, drew Post 2 for the lucrative dash. Brian Sears drives In the Arsenal, who is an American Ideal colt that is trained by Kelvin Harrison for co-owners White Birch Farm and In the Arsenal Racing.
In The Arsenal won the second of last weekend’s two elimination races, defeating Rock N Roll World by a head in 1:53.1. In the Arsenal has won eight of his 13 career starts and has banked $431,843, which makes him the richest starter in the eight-horse final.
Last summer, In The Arsenal won the $125,000 Lawrence B. Sheppard, Yonkers’ premier event for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
Last week’s other elimination winner, Sonofa Sizzle, wasn’t as fortunate in the open draw for the final, as he landed Post 8. George Brennan has picked up the driving assignment for trainer Josh Green. Brian Sears drove the son of Life Sizzles a week ago.
$300,000 Art Rooney Pace
(Post – Horse – Driver)
1 – Rock N World – Dan Dube
2 – In The Arsenal – Brian Sears
3 – Arque Hanover – Jason Bartlett
4 – National Seelster – Andy Miller
5 – Betting Exchange – David Miller
6 – Bet You – Brett Miller
7 – Cartoon Daddy – Yannick Gingras
8 – Sonofa Sizzle – George Brennan
(Note that In The Arsenal and Betting Exchange will race as a common-ownership entry)
Saturday night’s undercard is led by the Rooney’s companion event, the $117,724 Lismore Pace for three-year-old pacing fillies (Race 6, approximate post time 9 p.m.).
The field for the Lismore appears below.
$117,724 Lismore Pace
(Post – Horse – Driver)
1 – Strut My Stuff – Jordan Stratton
2 – Bedroomconfessions – Brian Sears
3 – Totally Rusty – Jason Bartlett
4 – Sassa Hanover – Yannick Gingras
5 – Purrfect Bags – Tim Tetrick
6 – Special Package – George Brennan
(Note that Strut My Stuff and Totally Rusty will race as a common-ownership entry, with the latter being a $15,000 supplemental entrant)
Changes to these races – if any – are to be made Wednesday morning.
(Yonkers Raceway)