Yonkers Raceway has drawn the first of its six Sunday matinee racing programs. The half-dozen cards, running from Nov. 9 to Dec. 14, inclusive, replace five Tuesday nights (Nov. 11 through Dec. 9) and shall offer an 11 a.m. first post.

The Sunday programs are going to be front-loaded with trotters, as the first five races of each card—all added-distance (1-¼ miles) with higher purses and oversized fields (12, 12, 10, 10 and 10, respectively)--are simulcast to France.

Included in that quintet is a dozen-horse Open, which goes as the second race during the 12-race dossier.

“We brought up that we’d like to try it (simulcasting races to France), and they have been very receptive to the idea,” Raceway COO Bob Galterio said. “It’s a new venture for all of us, and we appreciate the cooperation of the horsemen, the New York State Gaming Commission, the French PMU and our simulcast partners who are taking these Sundays along with our usual nighttime races.”

The overseas pool cannot be comingled, so the French betting won’t be included here. Toward that end, Yonkers is altering the wagering format for some of the early Sunday races.

Race 1 – no triple
Race 2 – no triple, no Pick 3
Race 3 – no superfecta, no Pick 4
Race 4 – no Pick 3.

In an effort to generate as much on-track interest as possible, Yonkers is doling out the freebies, including a free Sunday live program with the purchase of a Saturday live program (advance wagering for YR’s Sunday races is available all day Saturday), a free Sunday breakfast (egg sandwich and coffee) trackside between 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and free Sunday bets--a $2 daily double (races 1 & 2) and $1 exacta box (races 2, 3, 4 & 5)--to the first 200 existing (or newly-enrolled) Empire City Bets members between 10 a.m. -11 a.m. (all tickets are “quick picks”). Also, there’s a free promotional gift (while supplies last) and a chance to win dinner for two at any of restaurants on premises.

Select Empire City Bets members are eligible for a $10 bet/get for wagers made on the first five “French” races.

(Yonkers Raceway)