This is the 24th edition of the Rooney. The premier event for three-year-olds was inaugurated in 1989, a year after the passing of Art Rooney Sr.
Saturday’s final goes as Race 11 with an approximate post of 11 p.m. on a 13-race card, with first post at the usual 7:10 p.m.
All Bets Off, a son of Bettors Delight co-owned (as Burke Racing Stable LLC) by (trainer) Ron Burke, Frank Baldachino, Panhellenic Stables and Rosemary Shelswell, he is 2-for-3 this season. With Matt Kakaley driving - as he’s doing Saturday - All Bets Off comfortably won the second of last week’s two $40,000 elimination races, going down the road in 1:52.3.
Stevensville, himself a wire-to-wire winner (1:53) in the last weekend’s other elim, landed post six for the final - the same starting venue from a week ago. Tim Tetrick again takes a seat for co-owner/trainer Ray Schnittker.
After the race was drawn, Thereisapaceforus, who had drawn the pylons, was scratched. That moved Maxi Bon from the “also eligible” list into the race and inside his seven rivals. That also forced Maxi Bon and Gold Rocks, both trained by Tony Alagna to race coupled (common ownership).
Alagna’s third horse, Bondi Hanover, goes as a distinct wagering interest (bona fide separate ownership).
Here’s the field for the Art Rooney Pace:
1. Maxi Bon
2. Bondi Hanover
3. Gold Rocks
4. All Bets Off
5. Some Playa
6. Stevensville
7. Unlocked
8. Ideal Fashion
The $124,744 final of the Lismore, for three-year-old fillies, goes as Race 9 with an approximate post of 10:20 p.m.
Here’s the field:
1. Also Encouraging
2. It Was Fascination
3. Bettor Business
4. Tyra
5. Southwind Silence
6. Rustys Bliss
7. Gentlemens Delight
8. Palm Beach
(Yonkers Raceway)