The ‘B’s’ had it in Westchester 2017, as Jason Bartlett and Richard Banca won Yonkers Raceway’s driver and trainer titles, respectively.
The 235-date season (three postponements), which concluded this past Sunday (December 17), saw Bartlett roll along to a seventh local title.
The 36-year-old Bartlett, originally from Augusta, ME, was both the winningest (542) and busiest (2,635) driver. He won at a 22.9 per cent clip. His $10.4 million in purses also led the list.
Jordan Stratton ascended to second with 378 wins and $8.3 million in purses. The top five win list was completed by George Brennan (327), Brent Holland (214) and Dan Dube (182).
Banca, a 42-year-old native of Paterson, NJ, sent out 187 winners, 36 more than last season’s leading trainer, Rene Allard. Banca also led with 986 starters (19 per cent winning percentage) and purses ($4.01 million). Scott DiDomenico (117 wins), Ron Burke (109) and Gilberto Garcia-Herrera (87) completed the first quintet among wins.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)