Two-time O'Brien Award winning reinsman Mark MacDonald made his Westchester - and 2012 seasonal - debut Thursday night, driving a Yonkers Raceway duo
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MacDonald's first drive was a last (sixth) place finish behind Heaven And Hall in the $11,000 second race trot. He then found paydirt in the $14,000 10th race pace, winning with the first-up Tongue Twister ($16.60) in a season's-best 1:55.3. Both horses were trained by Mark Ford, who encouraged MacDonald to come stateside.
"I'm excited," MacDonald said. "I am planning on staying. This is where I want to race. Hopefully, it works out."
The 33-year-old MacDonald, a standout on the Woodbine Entertainment Group circuit for years, has 4,929 career wins with purses over $66.2 million. He’s back in the bike after an injury-plagued 2011 season.
MacDonald has four scheduled drives Friday (all for Ford) and seven Saturday (all but one for Ford).
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)
Mark has the talent to be
Mark has the talent to be one of the top drivers at any track. Hopefully, all goes well for him!
Good to see Mark back, you
Good to see Mark back, you are a tough SOB. Good luck in the States, a little more stable there revenue sharing wise.
Looking forward to seeing you drive in the big races here in the summer.
Greg Parke
"I'm excited," MacDonald
"I'm excited," MacDonald said. "I am planning on staying. This is where I want to race. Hopefully, it works out."
interesting
GL Mark. Hope it works out for you
I have been watching Mark
I have been watching Mark for years-but must have missed something. Why has he not raced lately and why has he moved to the USA?
mike pennington congrats
mike pennington congrats marcus glad to see u back go get,m kid
Congratulations Mark! I
Congratulations Mark!
I watched both drives on my computer.
May you have many more winning drives the rest of 2012.