by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway closed the book on 2004 on Tuesday night (December 28) by re-reading the same chapter as the previous week, the one entitled “Our Galvinator A: number one in your program, number one at the wire.”
The final $15,000 Open Handicap Pace of the fiscal season saw the classy Down Under gelding repeat, again from an inside assignment. Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
In a field reduced to five after the defection (judges) of Chad Lefleur, Our Galvinator A and catch-driver David Miller held sway in rather handy fashion.
Sent postward as the slight even-money favorite, Our Galvinator A allowed Chewy Gross (Stephane Bouchard) to grab the early brass ring. “Galvinator” then retook before a :27.4 opening quarter-mile before rating along in a :57.1 half and 1:26.3 three-quarters.
All the while, he was facing just mild, first-over pressure from second choice Twin B Gambit (Jay Randall), taking a length and a half lead into the lane. He easily held Chewy Gross at bay, winning by a length and a quarter in 1:55.2. The latter, bumping up the class ladder in search of a third consecutive victory, fought the good fight but settled for second. Kurt Rustler (Jeff Gregory), Twin B Gambit and an overmatched Tiberon (Mark Beckwith) completed the order of finishers/cashers.
Our Galvinator A, sent out by Team Annunziata (owner Richard, trainer Ettore), returned $4.10 while closing the season with his seventh win in 33 tries. The exacta paid $26.60, while the triple was aborted due to the abbreviated assemblage.
For his part, Miller, in an all-too-rare Westchester work night, more than paid the tolls for his trip across the river. He won half of his eight drives on the 13 race card. Three of the winners were owned by Richard Annunziata, with two each trained by Ettore Annunziata and Chris Oakes.
While Bouchard settled for second in the Open ‘Cap Pace, his three victories during the bakers-dozen bonanza gave him the fall meet driving title, winning a tight battle with that Gregory fellow, 93-91. Bouchard also claimed the year-end title, with final figures to be released shortly — stay tuned.
In an on-track example of unfortunate irony, the night’s 12th race was won by an 11-1 shot named B J’s Tsumani ($24.40). Trained and driven by Mike Sorentino Jr., the five-year-old Jenna’s Beach Boy gelding was able to get around an early incident where much of the field was, in a chillingly apropos choice of phrase, wiped out.
The Raceway’s first 2005 program is set for Monday, January 3, with live racing (and evening simulcasting) offered Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights at least through the end of February. First post remains the usual 7:40 p.m. Afternoon simulcasting continues around the NYRA schedule.
“As has been the case, we are anxiously awaiting the go-ahead to begin construction for the arrival of video lottery terminals (VLT’s) at the Raceway,” Yonkers General Manager Bob Galterio said. “However, since we do not know when work is to begin, we are returning to the four day race week after the first of the year. Hopefully, with the help of Governor Pataki and the state legislature, we can start work soon!
“We thank everyone for their continued support of Yonkers Raceway and wish them all a happy holiday and a healthy and prosperous new year.”
The Raceway is also accepting nominations for the 2005 Hopeful Pacing Series for three-year-olds of both genders. Nominations close Saturday, January 15, with the series beginning January 28 (fillies) and 29 (colts and geldings). Nomination forms will be on-line (www.yonkersraceway.com) within the next few days. In the meantime, complete conditions and information on the series (includes a $2,000 bonus awarded by Standardbred Owners Association of New York) can be obtained by calling the race office at (914) 968-4200, ext. 285.