BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY,
Tuesday, September 30, 2014—Yonkers Raceway’s fifth race Saturday night doesn’t
have a catchy name, but “Messenger Stakes Prep” might work.
A $25,000 Open
Handicap for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings has attracted a pair of
standout sophomores with their eyes presumably on the prize the next couple of
weekends.
Empire champion
All Bets Off (George Brennan, post 6) returns for his first work night since
rolling his rivals in the $225,000 final of the New York Sire Stakes here in
mid-September. For the season, the son of Bettor’s Delight has won nine of his
dozen starts (four in a row) and $642,925. Trainer Ron Burke co-owns the
Art Rooney Pace winner with Frank Baldachino, Panhellenic Stable and Rosemary
Shelswell.
While All Bets
Off is a board-certified horse of the course (five wins and two seconds in
seven career Westchester tries), McWicked (Jason Bartlett, post 7) makes his
local debut.
The millionaire
son of McArdle, trained by Casie Coleman for S S G Stables, sports wins in the
Hempt Memorial (Pocono), Adios (Meadows) and the final of the PA Sire Stakes
(Harrah’s Philly). Also a nine-time winner this season (in 15 starts), McWicked
has 2014 cash of $939,346.
Note that the 59th
Messenger Stakes, final jewel of the Pacing Triple Crown, is set for Saturday,
Oct. 25th, with eliminations (If necessary) going the previous
Saturday.
The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule continues, with first post
every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM. Evening
simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting
available daily.
