by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway had a race with two winners Tuesday night — and there wasn’t a dead-heat in sight.

The $12,000 final of the North American Amateur Drivers Association was won by 14-1 rank outsider Valcyon Days (Anthony Verruso), who launched a big move in and out of the final turn to prevail by two lengths in 2:04.2. The 6-year-old Dream Vacation gelding, trained by Gary Messenger for co-owners Scott Woogen and Brenda Messenger, returned $31.80 for his first win in eight seasonal starts. Iroquoindianmagic (Alan Schwrtz) was second, with Arsonman (George Casale) third.

Mike Lizzi photo

Pictured, left to right, are Bob Galterio (Yonkers Raceway GM), Katherine Cintron (Executive Director of the Westchester chapter, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), Joe Faraldo (President NAADA) and Kathy Fox (Outreach Coordinator for the Westchester chapter, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

The bigger winner was the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which received a $5,000 check from the NAADA. The amount represented all driving and starting fees through the nine-race competition, held at both Yonkers and Monticello Raceways. Accepting the check was Katherine Cintron, executive director of the Westchester County JDRF chapter.

“Our goal is to cure juvenile diabetes and its complications through support and research,” Ms. Cintron said. “We appreciate the efforts of the racetracks and the drivers.”

According to Ms. Cintron, juvenile — or Type 1 — diabetes affects three million children and young Americans, with 246 million people worldwide suffering from some form of diabetes. The JDRF raised $156 million in 2008, and more than $1.3 billion since the organization was founded — by parents of children with the disease — in 1970.

“It is with great pride that the NAADA, with encouragement from Yonkers Raceway general manager Bob Galterio, presents the JDRF chapter with this check,” association president Joe Faraldo said.

Please note that all Yonkers racing nights (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday) offer a 7:10 p.m. first post. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule. There is no simulcasting Easter Sunday.