by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — In The Arsenal, already with a Yonkers Raceway open stakes win to his credit, drew post position No. 2 for Saturday night’s (May 30) $300,000 Art Rooney Pace.

The 25th edition of the Rooney, one of the sport’s premier events for 3-year-old male pacers, goes as the fourth of 12 races (first post 7:10 p.m., approximate post for Rooney 8:15 p.m.).

Mike Lizzi photo

In The Arsenal (#2) was a head winner in the second Rooney elimination on May 23.

Brian Sears drives In The Arsenal, a son of American Ideal trained by Kelvin Harrison for co-owners (breeder) White Birch Farm and In The Arsenal Racing. The colt 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 races and $431,843, making him the richest of the octet in the final.

He first gained prominence last summer, winning the $125,000 Lawrence B. Sheppard, the Raceway’s premier event for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

Last week’s other elimination winner, Sonofa Sizzle (1:52.1), wasn’t as fortunate with the open draw. He landed behind the eight-ball with George Brennan picking up the assignment for trainer Josh Green. Sears drove the son of Life Sizzles a week ago.

The field for the Rooney Pace: 1-Rock N’ Roll 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 shall race as a common-ownership entry.

Saturday night’s undercard is led by the companion event, the $117,724 Lismore for 3-year-old pacing fillies (sixth race, approximate post 9 p.m.).

The half-dozen lasses: 1-Strut My Stuff (Jordan Stratton), 2-Bedroomconfessions (Sears), 3-Totally Rusty (Bartlett), 4-Sassa Hanover (Gingras), 5-Purrfect Bags (Tim Tetrick), 6-Special Package (Brennan).

Note Strut My Stuff and Totally Rusty race as a common-ownership entry, with the latter a $15,000 supplemental entrant.

Changes (if any) to these races are to be made Wednesday morning.