Yonkers Raceway began its 2018 harness racing season with a bang Sunday afternoon, with more than $2.1 million in all sources wagering on the 12-race card.

The North American common pool wagering was $1,398,314 and additionally, in excess of $700,000 was wagered in separate exotic pools in France.

“We haven’t seen wagering totals like that at Yonkers Raceway for many, many years,” remarked SOA of NY President Joe Faraldo.

When Yonkers is racing on Sunday afternoons, normally seven trotting races are simulcast to Europe where the French PMU conducts wagering. The French commingle into the North American win and show pools and also have separate pool wagering on each race.

“Yonkers Raceway in cooperation with the SOA of New York is happy to seed new markets and cultivate them,” Faraldo continued. “Innovating globally wherever possible to grow the business domestically and abroad. It is hard work done cooperatively with Yonkers management and our trainers, drivers, owners and caretakers who all sacrifice.”

Consolidator (4) captures the Sunday feature at Yonkers Raceway

The 2018 Yonkers Raceway meet continues Monday with a more traditional nighttime card of 12 races. New for 2018 is a 6:50 p.m. first post for all evening cards.

Yonkers races Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights in January before also adding Thursday night racing in February. The “French Sundays” continue each Sunday afternoon in January.

(SOA of NY)