by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Delayed a couple of nights due to weather, Yonkers Raceway debuted its 1-1/16 mile overnight racing Thursday evening (Feb. 3).

Tom Berg photo

Nancy Irene (#6) was a 2:05.2 winner.

The new distance, which was to begin Feb. 1 (Tuesday was snowed out, Wednesday a scheduled dark night), encompasses all overnight races. Series and stakes races remain at the traditional mile distance.

Let the record show that the off-the-pace Nancy Irene (Jim Pantaleano, $17.40) won the first added-distance event in 2:05.2. These are the first non-mile races at the Raceway since it re-opened in October 2006. Previously, Yonkers had contested 1-1/16 mile events, either on selected days or weeks during a given month.

Yonkers’ current live schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) remains in effect during the new year, with first post at 7:10 p.m.