TIP TOP GOES TO THE TOP TO WIN PALM BEACH KENNEL CLUB’S
$50,000 ARTHUR J. ROONEY, SR. PATRICK’S INVITATIONAL IN RECORD-BREAKING FASHION!
West Palm Beach, Fl. – Irish Eyes Were Smiling on the Rader Racing Kennel as super pup Tip Top put in a record-breaking effort to win the 42nd running of Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational, Saturday afternoon, March 17.
In the green dance, it was the post-time favorite Tip Top using his amazing rushing ability to reach the first turn and enter the backstretch with a comfortable three-length lead over Eyesappealing, JT’s Blindnspeed and O Ya Baby Blue.
Entering the final turn, it was clear who would be crowned the new $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational champion would be. The shillelagh would not fall on Tip Top.
The battle was now on for the remaining top paying spots.
Following Tip Top entering the homestretch, it was still Eyesappealing, JT’s Blindnspeed and O Ya Baby Blue still chasing, but as the trio approached the finish line, it was Blindnspeed passing Eyesappealing to take home the $12,500 second-place prize.
However, the secondary and historic story about Tip Top’s victory was his running time on the 545-Yard Royal Palm Course of a scorching 29.01 seconds. This was the fastest clocking for any stake race run on the Royal Palm Course and is tied with the 2014 winner of the St. Pat’s, Rob Gronkowski, for the second-fastest time in the history of Palm Beach Kennel Club.
“It was a well-earned victory”, said kennel operator Norm Rader. “Last year he won 16-races in-a-row (fourth-longest streak in Palm Beach history) and was named to the AGTOA All-America first team. This was the icing on the cake. And he’s only getting better.”
Tip Top went off as the fan favorite returning $5.60 to his many, many supporters.
JT’s Blindnspeed, last December’s winner of the $20,000 Dick Andrews Futurity Eyesappealing and last January’s victor in the $50,000 He’s My Man Classic, and Tip Top’s brother, Top Notch finished second, third and fourth, respectively.
Tip Top collected a lot of the “Green” for himself and his connections, a cool $25,000.
The complete St. Pat’s order of finish:
1st – 7. Tip Top (Barcelona Boss – Kiowa Starz Sage, Rader Racing Kennel)
2nd – 1. JT’s Blindnspeed (Pat C Sabbath – Julianne Hough, Koppe, Staats & Collins)
3rd – 3. Eyesappealing (Barcia Bale – Goldilocks, Lester Raines Kennel)
4th – 5. Top Notch (Barcelona Boss – Kiowa Starz Sage, Rader Racing Kennel)
5th – 2. O Ya Baby Blue (KC And All – O Ya Cranberry, Janie Carroll Kennel)
6th – 4. Feeling A Breeze (Pat C Clement – Keen Katy, Arthur Agganis Kennel)
7th – 6. Barts Big Bang (Pat C Clement – Barts Magpie, James Douglas Kennel)
8th – 8. Barts Putonashow (KC And All – Seadon Traveler, James Douglas Kennel)
Palm Beach Kennel Club honors Arthur J. Rooney Sr. and honors his legacy with our annual St. Patrick’s Invitational. “The Chief” was the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, established in 1933 and bought the Palm Beach Kennel Club in 1970 and Yonkers Raceway in 1972. He was also an outstanding athlete playing football, baseball and amateur boxing. He will always be remembered as one of the most popular figures in sports.
Contact: Jeff Prince (561) 683-2222, Ext. 126 / jprince@pbkennelclub.com
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