by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — Driver Jeff Gregory batted .500 during Yonkers Raceway’s 13-race Monday night (July 7) program, winning half of his 10 drives.
Gregory, who sat out the opener, won the $6,000 second race trot with Private Education ($13.80) in a life-best 2:01.1, then the $5,500 fourth race pace with an invading Windy City Paige (1:58). That one overcame the eight hole at an $8.10 mutuel.
Gregory disposed of another eight hole when Andy’s Trotter ($9.20) won the $6,000 sixth race trot (2:00.2) before Lavish Life ($12.60) — in his first purse try in two months — won the $5,000 seventh race pace in 1:57.3.
The quintet was completed when Sports Fanatic ($5.80) found room late in the $6,000 ninth race pace (1:56.1).
Jordan Stratton and Jim Pantaleano drove three winners each, while trainer Richard Jones went a perfect three-for-three.
Monday night’s card also featured a most improbable occurrence when the eight horses in the ninth race finished in post position order.
Yonkers now offers a six-night-per-week live harness schedule (Monday through Friday at 7:40 p.m., Saturday at 6:50 p.m.). Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.