Yonkers: Downbytheseaside works hard early, cruises late in Art Rooney Pace

Downbytheseaside had an eventful first quarter, but that didn't phase the son of Somebeachsomewhere as he cruised to a solid score in the $300,000 Art Rooney final at Yonkers on Saturday night. With David Miller in the bike, Downbytheseaside paced to a 1:52 mile as the 1-20 betting favorite.

As expected, the action was hot into the first turn with Summer Side and driver Tim Tetrick blasting out from post six and looping the inside horses for the front midway through the initial bend. Miso Fast and Matt Kakaley also left along the inside, and once clear, he moved to the front midway on the backstretch. Miller bided his time after leaving the gate with Downbytheseaside, but Kakaley stretched the favorite out, parking him past the 27 3/5 opening quarter and extending him through the second turn before yielding the front.

Once in control Miller hit the half in 55 seconds and got the three-quarters in a safe 1:24 1/5 as Stealth Bomber made a slow advance, his second move of the race, proving reasonable cover to Funknwaffles and Henry The Dragon.

On the final turn Downbytheseaside left Miso Fast in the dust, and the battle was clearly for second, with Summer Side coming up the passing lane and Funknwaffles on the outside battling it out. Summer Side prevailed.

Downbytheseaside is owned by Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco, Richard Lombardo and Diamond Creek Racing and trained by Brian Brown. The victory made Downbytheseaside a perfect three-for-three on the season and elevated his career earnings to $766,016.

"I had to use him more than I thought in the second quarter," said David Miller following the event. "He was a lot better on the turns, though. When I asked him on the final turn he responded."

Winning trainer Brian Brown revealed that the colt had a foot bothering him in last week's elimination, and it took a lot of hard work by his assistants to get the horse ready for the final.

"It was a little bit tough but not as tough as last week," said Brown referring to the rough trip Downbytheseaside endured in the single Rooney elimination heat.