One night after Dan Dube won his 7,000th career race, Jason Bartlett joined the milestone madness
.
Bartlett drove his 4,000th winner Tuesday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's 12th race pacing finale with Handfulofjuno ($4.90) in 2:01.2 for the mile-and-one-sixteenth distance. Chris Marino trains the six-year-old Village Jove gelding for Melissa Guido Stables.
Entering the night needing a quartet to reach the plateau, Bartlett earlier won the $12,000 fifth race pace with Bear King ($2.80) in 2:01.3 for the added distance. He then won the $12,000 sixth race pace with Western Bay ($3) in an added distance 2:01.4. Win No. 3,999 came with Bolero Topgun ($3.50) in the $17,000 ninth-race pace (added distance 2:01.2).
"I don't really pay that much attention to win totals," said Bartlett, the Raceway's three-time defending driving champion. "I know a lot of drivers say this, but all you can do is do your best and those things take care of themselves.
"I do have to say how much I appreciate the trainers and the owners for putting me down on good horses. It makes my job that much easier."
Bartlett, a 30-year-old native of Augusta, Maine, drove his first winner for his grandfather, Richard, at the Windsor (Me.) Fair in 1998.
Bartlett--Jason, that is--was presented with a congratulatory sign in the winner's circle after his most recent accomplishment.
Tuesday was also the second night in which Yonkers "upped the ante" to $20,000 (from $15,000) for its guaranteed pool Monday/Tuesday late Pick 4. A total of $25,256 was wagered on the late Pick 4 (which paid $360.50 on a $2 wager), as opposed to $10,967 wagered on the early Pick 4 (returned $178.50 on a $2 wager).
Past performances for the guaranteed pool late Pick 4 wager (Races 7 through 10) continue to be available at www.yonkersraceway.com (go to the "racing" icon), as well as at www.ustrotting.com. The guaranteed pool is in effect at least through May.
One more wagering note...beginning Friday, Yonkers will change its schedule of superfectas to Races 3, 5, 8 (from 7), 10 and last, provided there are a sufficient number of wagering interests in each race.
(Yonkers Raceway)