Field set for Rooney final

Forensic Z Tam (1:52.4) and Tivoli Hanover (1:52.3) will head the field for next Saturday’s $1million Rooney Pace final after their victories in two $40,000 eliminations Saturday night at Yonkers Raceway.

The first elim saw Glass Pack and driver George Brennan take no prisoners from the pole, blitzing a :26.3 opening quarter-mile with Western Artwork (Eric Goodell) sitting a gapping pocket and Ideal Vintage (Yannick Gingras) parked for his troubles.

Glass Pack rated a 29-second second quarter before pari-mutuel partners Home Bed Advantage (Tony Morgan) and Forensic Z Tam (Pat Lachance) both went around the roadblock that was Ideal Vintage.

Glass Pack remained the leader through a 1:23.3 three quarters, widening to three  lengths turning for home.  Those fast fractions led to heavy hooves, and Glass Pack needed the wire...quickly.

'Twas not to be. Forensic Z Tam surged, winning by a half length in 1:52.4. Glass Pack saved second over Home Bed Advantage, with Southwind Lynx (Tim Tetrick) closing from last to grab fourth and a place at the million-dollar meeting.

Forensic Z Tam, a son of Bettor's Delight trained by Lachance for MJGB Racing Stable, returned $4.70 as part of the favored entry. His first win in two seasonal starts led a $12.40 exacta and $36.60 triple.

Saturday night's second Rooney elimination was billed as a rematch of last week's final of the Max Hempt final at Pocono, where 22-1 Tivoli Hanover gunned down the 8-5 Takeshigemichi at the wire.

Different venue, same result.  The only two leavers in a paceless race, Takeshigemichi (Dan Dube), the 7-10 favorite from post three found the front, with 5-2 Tivoli Hanover (Goodell), starting right next door, deftly dropping in behind.

The people's choice negotiated a :27.3 opening quarter and :56.4 half. Western Culture (Tetrick), who left into a four hole,  made a second move but could never get close.

That left Takeshigemichi seemingly to his own devices at a 1:24.1 three quarters, and he took a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane.

Tivoli Hanover ripped out the pocket, caught the leader in a matter of strides, when, according to Goodell, "started to pull himself up."

Goodell was able to motivate his charge just enough, winning by a nose in 1:52.3. That effort established a track record for soph pacing geldings. Mattdultery (Gingras) was third, beaten three lengths, with Poker Hat (Morrill Jr.) grabbing fourth.

Tivoli Hanover, a son of Western Hanover, has now won half of his four '07 tries. Co-owned by Susan Oakes & Richard Phillips and trained by Chris Oakes, "Tivoli" paid $7.60, leading a $12.40 exacta and $61.50 triple.

The draw for the 17th Rooney, richest race in Yonkers' history, takes place Tuesday afternoon. (Yonkers Raceway)

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