Just five in Art Rooney

An intimate gathering of five 3 year olds were entered for the 2006 edition of the Art Rooney Pace, scheduled for Saturday night, Nov. 11, at Yonkers Raceway. The Rooney, with a purse of $440,904, goes as a “one-dash-for-the-cash” event. It is the intention that the race be contested at Yonkers, though ample notice shall be given in the case of a change of venue. Eliminations, if needed, would have been raced at Saratoga this Saturday.

The entrants, in alphabetical order with trainer and declared driver are: Bartolomeo N (Rich Banca, Dan Cappello Jr.); Caerleon Hanover (Banca, Brian Cross); Gimmebackmybullets (Ed Hart, Stephane Bouchard), Jake of Diamonds (Paul Doherty, Ray Schnittker); White Hot Card (Mark Capone, Dan Dube).

This is the 16th edition of the Rooney, but the first to be contested since 2003. The purse of the ’06 Rooney exceeds the combined seasonal earnings of the five entrants.

The Rooney’s companion event, the $300,000 (est.) Rose of Tralee Pace, has been rescheduled for next Saturday night, Nov. 11. Entry box for the split stake for 3-year-old fillies closes next Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 9 AM. Starting fee is $5,000 for eligible nominees ($30,000 for supplemental nominees)

Racing returned to Yonkers Wednesday morning for the first time since June 25, 2005, with a pair of three-horse qualifiers.

Nick Charles and driver Rejean Daigneault held off Cadfael (Mike Sorentino Jr.) to win the pacing opener in 1:59, while trotter Chillin Bluestone and trainer-driver John Grasso strolled home in 2:07.2 to take the second non-bettor. (From Yonkers)

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