Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Rooney & Abbatiello NJ Classic Notes
--Courtesy of Bob "Hollywood" Heyden

June 1, 2007

The $1 million Rooney at Yonkers on June 2. THE earliest ever million $ race -THE richest race in the history of Yonkers, History of NY state, AND in the history of half mile track racing...

Note-There have been 124 consecutive Breeders Crown races held without ANY ONE OF THEM being contested on a half mile track!! The last was a Pelling Sweep-1996-Yonkers-Armbro Operative/Mystical Maddy -26 of the 262 Breeders Crown events held have been on the Half Milers.

In 2006 it was THE richest race ever held at Monticello Raceway-$490,904-won by Givemebackmybullets. Five of the 8 in the $1,000,000 Rooney final made their Yonkers Debut in the elims.

George Teague, Jr. debuted with a pair last year in the North America Cup-and was the winner with Total Truth. He's back in the first ever million $ Rooney with two more-Southwind Lynx and Mattdultery.

The previous richest race ever in NY or at Yonkers was the 2006 Yonkers Trot-$728,930-Glidemaster. So if Glass Pack wins the Rooney final, that'll mean that George Brennan has the TWO RICHEST races ever contested in NY State under his belt!

The prior richest ever PACING event held in NY was the 1983 Sheppard-$666,800 won by Trutone Lobell for Cat Manzi and Jeff Lohmeyer.

The richest half mile track race prior to this-NOT at Yonkers-was the 2001 Little Brown Jug-$646,050-won by Bettors Delight.

A Patrick Lachance driving win in the Rooney would put him in the same category as Carl-Rod Allen-FATHER/SON winners-EACH-of a million $ race. Mike Lachance has 10 million $ wins-Carl Allen won the 1983 Wilson for $1,700,000 with Carls Bird, and Rod Allen the 1992 Meadowlands Pace for $1,000,000 with Carlsbad Cam.

It could be quite a night June 2 for Southwind Farm. Southwind Tempo is the prohibitive favorite in the $350,000 Lismore, and Southwind Lynx has a chance in the $1,000,000 Rooney.

Tim Tetrick (25) and Yannick Gingras (27) each will try and become the only UNDER-30 driver EVER to win the Rooney.

This is the 16th time the Rooney is held at Yonkers and 17th edition overall.(1989 debut) -R. Peter Heffering won this in 1991 with Horse Of The Year Precious Bunny-now he's back with Glass Pack.

Cams Card Shark won this race in 1994-en route to a HOY season. His son-Poker Hat-tries to complete a father-son DD.

Bill Robinson won this 4 times in a 7 year span 1991-1997 -TWICE a Triple Crown winner has taken the Rooney for good measure-1997 Western Dreamer, 2003 No Pan Intended.

THREE times a Horse Of The Year has won this final. Precious Bunny 1991, Cams Card Shark 1994 and Gallo Blue Chip 2000.

The ONLY sire with two representatives is Cole Muffler-the sire of both Loyal Opposition and Big Tom. (Home Bed Advantage and Glass Pack).

NJ Classic Notes
The "Bridesmaid Edition" 16 different drivers have finished second in the NJ CLassic, 11 of those NEVER won it. The NON-winning runnerup driver are: Filion-Wing-Beegle-Pierce-Haughton-Brennan-Carl/Rod Allen-Moiseyev-Ledford-and Ready? Keith Torro!!!!

"Hall" Of A Classic Race The first SIX NJ Classics were won by a Hall Of Famer-18 of 27 overall. Brennans' Breakthrough Night? George Brennan is looking for his first NJ Classic-AND Rooney-about an hour and one river apart. He handles Yankee Skyscaper in the $500,000 5th race, the NJ Classic-and then goes to Yonkers for the $1m Rooney (8th race there) with Glass Pack-looking for his first win in each.

$6 Million MEN The last time three millionaires were 1-2-3 in the NJ Classic-their career totals added up to over $6 million. 2002-McArdle $2,455,609 Royal Mattjesty $1,652,730 Mach Three $2,170,255

The Next Best Thing ---Cams Card Shark (the 1994 NJ Classic winner) sired half the field in the 2005 NJ Classic, and even though he didn't win it-he did the next best thing-he was 2-3-4-5-6. 2nd-Jo Pas Shark 3rd-Load The Dice 4th-George At Bigs 5th-Cams Fool 6th-Village Jolt (2 YO champion from 2004).

Deja Vu? John Campbell then--John Campbell now--1980 NJ Classic winner Bold Rush-stakes record 1:55.4-John led the nation in $$ ($3,732,306) and was the USHWA Driver Of The Year 2006. NJ Classic winner Feelin Friskie-stakes record 1:49.1-John led the nation in earnings PER start and was the USHWA Driver Of The Year.

Long Time Between Drinks? NOPE! Ron Pierce Hasn't Won A NJ Classic!! The 3rd leading driver of all time in $$ is STILL looking for that first NJ Classic. Ron Pierce-he was 2nd in 1989 with Britts Best and 3rd in 1994 with Cam Terrific.

Nice Start For Ray Remmen anyway. Ray won the first two edition and was second in Edition #3. 1984-Showplace Trixie $23.00 1985-Poplar Lil-$2.40 2nd in 1986 with Sarcastick.