Yonkers set to resume live racing Friday night

Yonkers Raceway begins its 2013 season Friday night, with a dozen-race dossier commencing customarily at 7:10 pm. A pair of $35,000 co-features--a Filly and Mare Open Pace (6th race) and an Open Handicap Trot (8th race)--highlight the opener.

Yonkers again offers the highest purse structure and deepest driving colony in the sport, led by defending local champ George Brennan. Brennan's Westchester resume a season ago included 580 wins, a staggering 25.5 win percentage and more than $8.8 million in purses.

Brennan, who repeated as Harness Tracks of America Driver of the Year in 2012, is joined on the overnight sheet--and on the gate--by Jason Bartlett, Brian Sears, Jordan Stratton, Larry Stalbaum, Brent Holland, Cat Manzi, Mark MacDonald, Pat Lachance, Jeff Gregory and Matt Kakaley.

All told, 11 of Yonkers' 12 leading drivers from a season ago are listed to go Friday, as are the first five--Gilberto Garcia-Herrera, P.J. Fraley, Ron Burke, Mark Ford and Casie Coleman--from the 2012 trainer standings.

The 2013 stakes schedule shall be announced shortly.

After the programs of this Friday and Saturday, the Raceway returns to its customary Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday schedule, with first post at 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule. (Yonkers)

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