BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Tuesday, December 16,
2014—Jason Bartlett and Ron Burke have waltzed away with Yonkers Raceway’s
driving and training titles, respectively, for the 2014 season. The 232-program
season, (shortened with five cancellations and one abbreviated program
[weather]), ended this past Sunday (Dec. 14).
Bartlett, 33, won his fourth Westchester
driving title going away, with 485 wins from a meet-high 2,440 wins (19.9
percent). His $7,594,544 in purses also led the contingent. Brian Sears (402
wins), George Brennan (401), Eric Carlson (213) and Dan Dube (213) completed
the leading five.
Burke, 45, successfully defended his
Yonkers title, sending out 144 winners from 704 starters (20.5 percent), more
than any other local trainer. Among his record-breaking total earnings season
was a local-leading $4,646,539 in purses. PJ Fraley (118 wins), Gilberto
Garcia-Herrera (112), Rene Allard (111) and Tracy Brainard (106) finished off
the first quintet.
The Raceway's 2015 live schedule (along with the return of evening
simulcasting) is set to begin Friday, Jan. 9, pending approval of the New York
State Gaming Commission. Afternoon simulcasting resumes Friday, Dec. 26, after
the conclusion of NYRA’s holiday hiatus.
