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

Yonkers, NY — Mark MacDonald was the star of the show Saturday (May 14) night, sweeping both of Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 co-featured Open Handicaps with favored Great Vintage (Pace, $5.30) and Obrigado (Trot, $8.20).

Great Vintage paces to his third victory from seven trips to the post in 2016.

Great Vintage, assigned the second post position, two-moved around Texican N (Jordan Stratton), then set sail on his appointed rounds (:27.4, :56.3, 1:24.2, season-matching 1:52).

The people’s choice eventually disposed of a first-up Bettor Rock On N (Dan Dube), then took a three-quarter length lead into the lane. He fended off an inside bid of Texican N by a half-length in 1:52. Artistic Major (Brent Holland) rallied very well for third, with Ideal Cowboy (Jason Bartlett) and Atta Boy Dan (George Brennan) settling for the remainder.

For Great Vintage, an 8-year-old son of American Ideal trained by Jimmy Takter for co-owners his wife, Christina, John Fielding, Goran Anderberg and Goran Falk, it was his third win in seven seasonal starts. The exacta paid $28.80, with the triple returning $220.50.

As for Obrigado, he did his damage—from assigned post position five—from first-up. Away sixth, he saw Luminosity (Brennan) lead through intervals of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:26.1. It was Luminosity holding a short lead into the lane, but Obrigado was relentless.

He keep at it, whipping Luminosity by a length in 1:54.2. Homicide Hunter (Stratton) was third, with tepid 5-2 choice Major Athens (Brian Sears) and Allerage Star (Pat Lachance) earning the minor moolah.

For second choice Obrigado, an 6-year-old Boy Band gelding co-owned by (trainer) Paul Kelley, Linwood Higgins, SRF Stable and Stable 45, it was his first win in a pair of ’16 tries. The exacta paid $33.60, the triple returned $179 and superfecta paid $579.

Saturday’s (May 14) $30,000 Preferred Handicap Pace was won by Machtu N (Steve Smith, $7.70) in a night’s-best 1:50.4 for a first North American victory.

Among those enjoying Yonkers Raceway’s Saturday (May 14) night soiree were some special guests.

Chris Brokate photos

Veterans enjoy their involvement in the post parade on Saturday (May 14) at Yonkers Raceway.

The Raceway and the Standardbred Owners Association of New York hosted approximately 100 metropolitan-area veterans for dinner and an up-close look at the drivers, trainers, trotters and pacers.

Leading the post parade for first three races were vets representing three branches of the military–Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

The same three races saw veterans groups in the winner’s circle for an impromptu meet and greet.

Trainer Robbie Siegelman once again acted as “point person.” Siegelman has been a long-time, active volunteer with HorseAbility (www.horseability.org), an Old Westbury, NY-based non-profit organization offering therapeutic riding programs, hippotherapy and a summer day camp to children, adults, and families with special needs.

“Everyone had a great time,” Siegelman said. “We may have to do this more often.”