YONKERS, NY, Monday, January 7, 2013--Yonkers Raceway begins its 2013 season
Friday night, with a dozen-race dossier commencing customarily at 7:10 PM.
A pair of $35,000 co-features--a Filly and Mare Open Pace (6th race) and an
Open Handicap Trot (8th race)--highlight the opener.
Yonkers again offers the highest purse structure and deepest driving colony in
the sport, led by defending local champ George Brennan. Brennan’s Westchester
resume a season ago included 580 wins, a staggering 25.5 win percentage and
more than $8.8 million in purses.
Brennan, who repeated as Harness Tracks
of America Driver of the Year in 2012, is joined on the overnight sheet--and on
the gate--by the likes of Jason Bartlett (322 wins), Brian Sears (248), Jordan
Stratton (221), Larry Stalbaum (209), Brent Holland (195), Eric Goodell (134),
Cat Manzi (128), Mark MacDonald (125), Jim Pantaleano (80), Pat Lachance (55),
Jeff Gregory (45) along with Pocono-based Matt Kakaley, who figures be an
early-season regular.
All told, 11 of Yonkers' 12 leading drivers from a season ago are listed to go
Friday, as are the first five--Gilberto Garcia-Herrera (125 wins), PJ Fraley
(119), Ron Burke (109), Mark Ford (99) and Casie Coleman (82)--from the 2012
trainer standings.
The 2013 stakes schedule shall be announced shortly.
After the programs of this Friday and Saturday, the Raceway returns to its
customary Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday schedule, with first post at
7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon
simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.
