Yonkers Raceway’s leading driver, Jason Bartlett, opened more daylight during the Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 25) sunshine, winning seven of the dozen matinee races.

Bartlett’s day begin with a chalky double-nickel (5-5) daily double, with Fraternity ($3.80) and CIs Buckeye ($4.20) winning their $8,500 pace and trot in 1:55 and 1:58.2, respectively. The pair combined for a $9 double.

Another fave, Flem N Em N ($4.70), barely edged longshot leader Macon Georgia A (Jordan Stratton) in the $10,500, third-race pace (1:54.2).

Bartlett finished fourth in the fourth and seventh (last) in the fifth, then lasted on the lead with Fox Valley Steffan ($8.40) in the $8,500, sixth-race trot (1:59.2).

His fifth win saw Bartlett team with pole-sitting Grand Master ($13.60), going the distance in the $10,500, seventh-race pace (1:53.2). After a fifth-place finish in the eighth race, win No. 6 was an un-Bartlett-esque, 21-1 Dynamic Edge ($44.40), last early, actually going away in the $20,000, ninth-race trot (1:59.3).

Bartlett’s seventh win came from the pocket, as Jayport All Muscle ($6.90) just snapped pace-setting Bentley Spur (Steve Smith) in the $30,000, 10th-race trot (1:57.2).

“It’s sort of a cliché,” Bartlett said. “The horses were in good spots class-wise, and they raced well. Sometimes it works out that way, but a lot of times it doesn’t.

“Even Mark’s (Ford’s) trotter (Dynamic Edge), he told me he was racing better than his lines showed, just to watch him off the gate. He had a live (second-over) trip and raced very well.”

Bartlett finished third in the 11th race trot, while he and his ‘date’ cut the mile in the 12th race pacing finale, only to tired and finish sixth.

Since no one hit Tuesday afternoon’s Pick 5, Thursday’s gimmick begins with a carryover of $1,420.27 (50-cent base wager, races 7 through 11).

(with files from Yonkers)