BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Sunday, November 16,
2014—Round 2 of Yonkers Raceway’s “Hooves Across the Atlantic” went postward
Sunday.
The 12-race card again began with five
French-centric, overstuffed, mile-and-a-quarter trotting fields. A dozen were
behind the gate for the opener (post time 11:17 AM), with favored Fort Valley
AS (Jason Bartlett, $5) winning that event in 2:27.4 for the added distance.
“Everyone seems to be getting used to it
(added distance),” Bartlett said. “There’s more early movement in races, and I
think we have learned how to drive for it. “
Even the horses seemed to have read the
memo. The five races featured 54 horses and just one breaker.
For the second matinee program, Yonkers
brought out the big guns, as Hall of Famer Mike Lachance was on hand to lend
his expertise to those folks wagering in France (as well as Switzerland,
Belgium, Spanish Basque community, Germany, Austria, Luxemburg, Holland,
Estonia and Malta).
Once again, the overseas numbers were
strong, with approximately $1.45 million Euros (approx. $1.81 million US
dollars) wagered on the on the five “French races.” (first Sunday was $1.4
million Euros or approximately $1.75 million US dollars).
The week’s marquee trot, a $44,000 Open
Handicap, was “regular” in both starters (eight) and distance (one mile).
Eight-hole assignee Rossini (Bartlett, $32), last at the three-quarters and
seventh turning for home, rolled over his rivals late, winning in 1:56.1 for a
second consecutive victory.
