Downbytheseaside, Agent Q and Big City Betty win Rooney and Lismore eliminations
May 21, 2017,by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — World champion Downbytheseaside (David Miller, $3.10) was as odds-on advertised Saturday night (May 20), winning Yonkers Raceway’s lone $40,000 elimination for the 27th Art Rooney Pace for 3-year-olds.
Starting from the second tier in the nine-to-get-to-eight foray, Downbytheseaside found himself three-wide at the half in a race that had much more movement than expected. Last season’s Lawrence B. Sheppard Pace winner, Summer Side (Ray Schnittker), made the first lead, stuffing Stealth Bomber (Brent Holland) in behind before a :28.1 opening quarter-mile.
However, Stealth Bomber wanted to no part of the pocket. That one made the lead, with last season’s New York Sire Stakes champion Funknwaffles (Brian Sears) and Downbytheseaside in hot pursuit.
Downbytheseaside fronted the fray right at the :55.4 intermission, than continued toward a 1:24.3 three-quarters. Stealth Bomber then moved again, vacating a three-hole in front of Miso Fast (Matt Kakaley). Downbytheseaside opened a couple of lengths in and out of the final turn, winning by a 1-1/4 lengths in 1:52.2. Miso Fast snapped Stealth Bomber for second, with Summer Side and Mac’s Jackpot (Jason Bartlett) rounding out the payees.
Funknwaffles tired to sixth, with Henry the Dragon (Montrell Teague) and rank outsider Rollin’ About (Brent Holland) also earning invites to next Saturday night’s (May 27) $300,000 final. Heaven’s Gait (Jordan Stratton) made a filthy break passing the three-quarters, winding up last and not making the finale.
For Downbytheseaside, a son of Somebeachsomewhere trained by Brian Brown for co-owners Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco, Richard Lombardo and Diamond Creek Racing, it was his second win in as many season starts. He is 10-for-15 in his career. The exacta paid $$7.70, the triple returned $57 and the superfecta paid $341.50.
“I was pleased with the race,” Miller said. “I had to use him some early and ran in a bit in the turns, but we can work on that before the final.”
Miller began his evening drilling seven inside rivals, with split times of :28.4, :59.1, 1:27.4, 1:55.1, with Agent Q ($6.80) in the first of two, $20,000 elims for the Lismore for 3-year-old pacing fillies.
Last season’s New York Sire Stakes freshman champion, even-money choice Tequila Monday (Sears), wound up second from second-over, with Caviart Ally (Andrew McCarthy) a first-up third. Ashlee’s Spitfire (Dan Dube), at 50-1 the longest shot on the board, was fourth. That quartet returns for next Saturday night’s $140,770 final.
Mike Lizzi photos
Agent Q disposes of her competition in her Lismore Pace elimination.
“Handy,” was Miller’s succinct description of his date.
For second choice Agent Q, a daughter of Western Terror co-owned by Martin Scharf, Rochetti Racing and Robert Muscara, she’s now 2-for-2 this season
The second elimination for the Lismore, complete with no show wagering, saw the reason for same—3-10 favorite Ain’t Three OK (Sears)—jump it off in the first turn and trail throughout.
Pole-sitting Big City Betty (Jim Marohn Jr., $21.60) went the distance setting fractions of :28.3, :58.1, 1:27, 1:55.2, whipping Gotthisone Hanover (George Brennan) by 2-1/4 lengths in a two-speed number. Warrawee Sunshine (Miller) was a ground-saving third as the 29-1 longshot, with Caviart Cherie (McCarthy) fourth and back for the final.
For third choice Big City Betty a Bettor’s Delight miss co-owned by (trainer) Steve Salerno and Bruce Potter, it was her second win three ’17 tries. The exacta paid $149, with the triple returning $965.
“This filly has a quick turn of speed, but she has the manners of an older horse,” Marohn said. “I never even saw what happened with Brian’s (Sears’) horse (Ain’t Three OK), but mine was very comfortable.”
The open draw for both stakes finals takes place Monday afternoon (May 22).
Saturday night’s pair of $55,000 Open Handicaps were won by…
–Trot, Red Hot Herbie (Dan Dube, $19.60) in 1:55.3;
–Pace, Mach It So (Holland, $7.90) in 1:51.2.
- Downbytheseaside leads 9 entered to Art Rooney, 15 in Lismore (Monday, May 15, 2017)
Nine 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.
- Grand Circuit to Meadowlands and Yonkers this weekend (Wednesday, May 17, 2017)
Grand Circuit action takes place this Saturday (May 20) at Meadowlands Racetrack and Yonkers Raceway.
- Brown hopes for pleasant “Seaside” trip (Wednesday, May 24, 2017)
Brian Brown was pleased with Downbytheseaside’s win in last weekend’s Art Rooney Pace elimination and the trainer hopes the colt can be even better in Saturday’s $300,000 final. Downbytheseaside, the 6-5 morning line favorite in Saturday’s race for 3-year-old male pacers, won the lone Rooney elimination by 1-1/4 lengths over Miso Fast in 1:52.2. It was the colt’s second win in two tries this year, but Brown thought the horse’s finish lacked its usual pop.
- Downbytheseaside soars in Rooney; Tequila Monday stellar in Lismore (Saturday, May 27, 2017)
World champion Downbytheseaside‘s sophomore record remains intact after a decisive score in 1:52 in the $300,000 Art Rooney Pace at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday (May 27) evening. After what could have been a stinging second quarter, the colt strode home a powerful winner.Tequila Monday put on quite a show in the $180,770 Lismore Pace with a 4-1/4 victory in 1.52.2 that was just shy of the stakes record.