Tivoli draws 3 at Yonkers

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 $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 Mannno.

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 state-bred son of Bettor's Delight, surged late in his elimination race to defeat pacesetting Glass Pack by a half length in 1:52.4. Trained and drivern 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 also sends out a parimutuel 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 held at Monticello in '06.

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 two).

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.

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                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)                    1:51.4 R
2002            $332,784        ASHLEE’S BIG GUY (Dave Miller)                  1:53.4
2003            $273,983        NO PAN INTENDED (Dave Miller)                   1:54.1 D
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

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