by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, for Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Driver Eric Abbatiello, who reached the 2,000-win milestone early in the day on Thursday (Sept. 29), was duly recognized by Yonkers Raceway. Proving it’s nothing if not a good sport, the Raceway offered congrats to Abbatiello, who arrived at his latest plateau at Freehold Raceway.

Chris Brokate photo

Eric Abbatiello celebrated his 2,000th career driving victory at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday.

The 47-year-old Abbatiello, whose Harness Hall of Fame father, Carmine, won a few Yonkers races in his day, is actually at 2,001 wins and more than $13.2 million in career purses. His single-season bests are 212 wins (2014) and $1.6 million in purses (2008) in career which began in 1999, but wasn’t ‘full-time’ until 2005.

Yonkers’ Thursday Pick-5 wager, beginning with a double-carryover of just under $8,200, attracted $25,620 of fresh funding. The winning combination of 5/1/2/1/4 paid $217.50 for every correct .50-cent wager.