Jason Bartlett and Rene Allard were once again Westchester’s ‘big cheeses,’ as they won Yonkers Raceway’s 2016 driver and trainer titles, respectively.

The 235-date season (three postponements), which concluded this past Sunday (December 18), saw Bartlett roll along to a sixth Yonkers title. The 35-year-old, originally from Augusta, ME, more than doubled Dan Dube, 576 wins to 287.

Bartlett was also the busiest of the colony, as he led with 2,336 drives (24.7 per cent winning percentage) and more than $8.4 million in purses. George Brennan and Brian Sears wound up in a dead-heat for third with 284 wins each, though Sears did it with 583 fewer drivers. Jordan Stratton (247) rounded out the top five.

Allard, a 29-year-old native of Quebec, sent out 233 winners, a dozen more than Tom Milici. Allard also led with 1,008 starters (23.1 per cent winning percentage) and purses ($3.4 million). Richard Banca (180 wins), Jeffrey Bamond Jr. (98) and Ron Burke (90) completed the first quintet.

Yonkers’ 2017 season is set to begin with a Sunday, January 8 matinee (first-race post time still to be announced), pending approval of the New York State Gaming Commission. A complete schedule can be viewed by clicking here.

Yonkers Announces Lucrative Meet-Opening Card

With Yonkers Raceway’s opening day just 19 afternoons away, the track has thrown down the gauntlet with oversized purses.

The track’s 2017 seasons will begin – pending approval from the New York State Gaming Commission – with a ‘French’ Sunday (on January 8 – first-race post time to be announced).

To offer appreciation to ‘the rank and file,’ the purse structure for the first card will be highlighted by a $75,000 Open Handicap Trot (to be raced at a distance of one and a quarter miles) and a $60,000 Open Handicap Pace (one mile).

Other classes also feature enhanced purses, which can be seen in this accompanying condition sheet.

For more information, please contact the race office at 914-457-2627.

(Yonkers Raceway)