Dobson, Holland quick learners to Yonker's winner's circle

A couple of drivers with solid off-Broadway credentials have taken their acts to the big city...and thus far, the reviews have been quite favorable as Billy Dobson and Brent Holland have both invaded Yonkers Raceway of late, with each finding the winner's circle in relatively short order.

The 24-year-old Dobson, a native of Ann Arbor, Mich., was enjoying a career season in both wins (265) and purses (more than $1.2  millon) in his home state before coming east. Dobson, who's been plying his craft both here and at Monticello, gained his intiail Yonkers' victory with The Grouse A in Tuesday night's $5,000, pacing opener.

"It's nice to get the first one," Dobson said. "I know some more are coming. I just have to be patient and keep working hard."

He did return home over the weekend, winning Northville's $60,050 final of the Michigan Pari-Mutuel Stake with the trotting mare Gianna.

Holland, 37, a native of Wilmington, Ohio, was among the leading drivers on the Chicagoland circuit for the past decade. Thus far in 2008, he's compiled a personal-best 409 wins (through Monday) while closing in on his second $3 million purse season.

"With things in Chicago so uncertain, the timing was right," Holland said. "I'm fortuante that (trainer) Paul (Blumenfeld) wanted to give it a shot, and brought about 35 horses. I'm also hoping to get some catch-drives along the way."

Holland, who, like Dobson, has also made a quick impact in the Catskills by day, earned his first Westchester win Monday night with Big Puff Doggie. (Yonkers)

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