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Monday, January 16, 2012

YR - BARTLETT BEGINS 2012 ON A ROLL

BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway


YONKERS, NY, Monday, January 16, 2012 -- As a public service, anyone who has access to a set of flame-retardant driver's colors, please contact Jason Bartlett immediately...'cause the lad is on fire.

Bartlett, who spent the latter part of 2011 sidelined with a sprained ankle--forcing his withdrawal from future NBA drafts--has spent the early part of 2012 making up for lost time.

He's thrown down the gauntlet to the tune of a dozen victories in 23 drives, all during Yonkers Raceway's first two nights of racing.

Jason Bartlett (Mike Lizzi Photo)
Bartlett wasted no time getting his picture taken, winning Friday night's four races, then that evening's $33,000 co-featured Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace with Breakheart Pass. He finished off Friday with a 31-1 last-turning-for-home winner before winning both halves of Saturday's early daily double.

"I've been on good horses and they've been in good spots," Bartlett said. "It's sort of all fallen into place. You just keep going out there and doing your best.

"The ankle's not 100 percent, but sitting in the bike was never the problem, even when I first hurt it (in early December). I'm getting more mobile, but I'm sure it's going to be a while."

Bartlett was the Raceway's runaway driving champ from 2008 through 2010 before finishing second in the standings to George Brennan a season ago.   

Yonkers' usual five-night-per-week (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday) returns this week. First post for all programs remains at 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.