BY FRANK DRUCKER,
Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS,
NY, Friday, September 30, 2016—Apparently, Yonkers Raceway has a new incentive
plan…win a race at a triple-figure mutuel, meet a former
major league baseball All-Star.
That was the carrot at the end of the Friday night (Sept. 30)
stick for trainer/driver Pat Lachance after his last-to-first, 53-1, eight-hole
upset with Ace of Clubs. The bombardier paid an even $108 to win the fifth race
going away by 3 ¼ lengths.
The soggy, hotly-contested fourth race saw 3-10 choice Cartoon
Daddy (Jason Bartlett) dueled into submission and finished seventh as Ace of
Clubs circled his rivals to earn his first seasonal win in his 16th
seasonal start (1:58.2).
Just outside the winner’s circle was an impromptu meet-and-great
with New York Mets’ Hall of Famer John Franco.
Franco, a native New Yorker and one of baseball’s all-time
standout relief pitchers, was visiting Empire City Casino @ Yonkers Raceway.
Franco and Amazin’ fans were at Dan Rooney’s Sports Bar as the Mets took on the
Philadelphia Phillies in a game with wild-card playoff implications.
Spirited conversation and autographed photos (of Franco, not
Lachance. Sorry, Pat) was also included in the evening.
