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| Jaspm Bartlett (Mike Lizzi Photo) |
Bartlett, who first made a name for himself in his native Maine as a standout basketball player, was on the court in a pick-up game last Wednesday (Dec. 7) when he landed on another player's foot.
"It’s just part of the game," Bartlett said. "It's happened to everyone, and it's not the first time it's happened to me. There was bruising and swelling, and the doctors diagnosed it as a Grade 3 sprain."
After taking last Thursday night (Dec. 8) off from his Yonkers Raceway night job, Bartlett returned the next evening with a couple of winners. He has been out of the sulky since.
"Racing was not a problem, but getting around in the paddock was a bit of an issue. It was just uncomfortable, and I'm trying to stay off the ankle as much as I can.
"I'm going to take advantage of the holiday break and get back to 100 percent," Bartlett said. "It feels much better than it did even earlier this week. I went for an MRI, and it's nothing more serious than they first said.
"I'm looking forward to the start of 2012. There's no way I won't be there."
Bartlett, the Raceway's three-time defending driving champion, is going to finish second to George Brennan this season (680 wins to 349, through Thursday). Bartlett's complete 2011 totals are 407 wins and more than $7.6 million in purses.
Yonkers' regular five-night-per-week schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) remains in effect, with the 2011 racing season ending next Friday, Dec. 23. The 2012 live season is scheduled to begin Friday night, Jan.13, pending approval of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.
First post for all racing programs is 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule (note the NYRA Christmas break runs from Dec. 19-27, inclusive).
