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

Yonkers, NY — Tivoli Hanover, who won the faster of last week’s two elimination races in track record time, drew post position three and was made the 9-5 morning line favorite for Saturday night’s (June 2) $1 million final of the Art Rooney Pace at Yonkers Raceway.

Eight 3-year-olds — five colts and three geldings — earned berths in the richest race in Yonkers’ history. The Rooney goes as the eighth race on the 10-race program, with first post at 7:40 p.m.

Tivoli Hanover was up by a nose in the second $40,000 Rooney elim a week ago, setting a track standard for sophomore geldings (1:52.3) in the process.

Eric Goodell drives the son of Western Hanover for co-owners Susan Oakes and Richard Phillips, and trainer Chris Oakes. Tivoli Hanover came to the fore with his 22-1 upset in the $301,032 final of the Max Hempt at Pocono earlier this month. The Hempt had been the richest race in this division this season.

For the season, Tivoli Hanover has two wins and two seconds in four starts with earnings of $182,048. He edged past Takeshigemichi in the final strides after a pocket trip in his Rooney elimination. The latter leaves from post two in the final, with Dan Dube driving for trainer Tony Mannino.

The open draw did no favors for last week’s other elim winner, Forensic Z Tam, who landed the dreaded eight hole.

Forensic Z Tam, a statebred son of Bettor’s Delight, surged late in his elimination race to defeat pace-setting Glass Pack by a half-length in 1:52.4. Trained and driven by Pat Lachance — whose father, Mike, won this race in both 1996 (Firm Belief) and ’97 (Western Dreamer) — Forensic Z Tam shall be coupled in the wagering with Home Bed Advantage (Tony Morgan, post five).

Forensic Z Tam, with five wins in 10 career starts, is owned by MJGB Racing Stable, which also co-owns Home Bed Advantage. “Home Bed” won eight of his nine starts as a 2-year-old.

Trainer (and co-owner) George Teague, Jr. also sends out a pari-mutuel entry in Mattdultery (Yannick Gingras, post four) and Southwind Lynx (Tim Tetrick, post six). The pair finished third (to Tivoli Hanover) and fourth (to Forensic Z Tam), respectively, a week ago.

The Art Rooney Pace returned to Yonkers Raceway this season for the first time since 2003. The race was not contested in 2004-05 and was held at Monticello in ’06.

The field for the 17th edition of the Rooney, with declared drivers and morning line odds: 1-Poker Hat (Jim Morrill, Jr., 10-1); 2-Takeshigemichi (Dan Dube, 4-1); 3-Tivoli Hanover (Eric Goodell, 9-5); 4-Mattdultery (Yannick Gingras, 2-1); 5-Home Bed Advantage (Tony Morgan, 5-1); 6-Southwind Lynx (Tim Tetrick, coupled with Mattdultery, 2-1); 7-Glass Pack (George Brennan, 8-1); and 8-Forensic Z Tam (Pat Lachance, coupled with Home Bed Advantage, 5-1).

Saturday’s card also includes the $242,620 renamed Lismore Pace for 3-year-old fillies, carded as the ninth race. A half-dozen ladies are set to go postward, led by Southwind Tempo (Tetrick, post 2).

The Empire-bred daughter of Bettor’s Delight, trained by Steve Elliott, is making her New York debut. She has won four of her five ’07 tries ($82,632), including the $74,015 Helen Dancer at Freehold and the $60,000 final of the Tender Loving Care at the Meadowlands.

Art Rooney Pace—Previous Winners

Year – Final Purse – Winner (Driver) – Time
1989 – $300,000 – Kick Up A Storm (Ron Waples) – 1:56.1
1990 – $304,127 – Jake And Elwood (John Campbell) – 1:55
1991 – $383,555 – Precious Bunny (Jack Moiseyev) – 1:53.4
1992 – $325,950 – Survivor Gold (Jack Moiseyev) – 1:53.3
1993 – $301,760 – Life Sign (John Campbell) – 1:52.1
1994 – $377,430 – Cam’S Card Shark (John Campbell) – 1:52.4
1995 – $276,188 – Village Connection (Paul MacDonell) – 1:55
1996 – $304,183 – Firm Belief (Michel Lachance) – 1:55.
1997 – $308,083 – Western Dreamer (Michel Lachance) – 1:53.2
1998 – $333,282 – Shady Character (Jim Morrill, Jr.) – 1:53.3.
1999 – $303,995 – Bolero Master (John Campbell) – 1:53.4
2000 – $319,164 – Gallo Blue Chip (Dan Dube) – 1:52.4
2001 – $305,569 – Fully Loaded (Luc Ouellette) – 1:51.4R
2002 – $332,784 – Ashlee’s Big Guy (Dave Miller) – 1:53.4
2003 – $273,983 – No Pan Intended (Dave Miller) – 1:54.1D
2006 – $490,904 – Gimmebackmybullets (Stephane Bouchard) – 1:55.3

(Note: race not offered in 2004-05; held at Monticello Raceway in 2006)
R — stakes record; D — placed first via disqualification