Summer Festival Proves A Big Success

Yonkers Raceway's second Summer Festival was held Saturday night and, with 100 per cent of the precincts reported, a fun evening was had by all

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With the weatherman's complete cooperation, the free, family-themed event brought out a large and enthusiastic crowd.

Held on the track apron, the festival included rides, games with prizes, a water bottle giveaway, a New York Lottery golf game, music (Beach Boys tribute band) and the requisite amount of fun food, from popcorn to cotton candy to snow cones to candy apples.

There was also a meet-and-greet with Yonkers' leading drivers, with fans receiving autographed photos of Jason Bartlett, Jordan Stratton and Pat Lachance. In fact, the three characters, who commandeered the giant slide at one point, looked suspsciously like Stratton, Lachance and Bartlett.

"We couldn't have asked for a better evening," general manager Bob Galterio said. "The Summer Festival is an event we all look forward to, the guests enjoyed themselves and our staff did a great job. There was something for everyone on the apron, and it allowed us the chance to present our excellent racing product to a whole new audience."

Saturday night's 12-race card was highlighted by Saint William A (birthday boy Brent Holland, $25.80) winning the $43,000 Open Handicap Pace in 1:58.4. That effort matched the track record for aged horses at the mile-and-one-sixteenth distance.

New York Sire Stakes action returns Tuesday night, with the $238,032 Art Watson Pace for three-year-old fillies in eight divisions (including two early non-bettors).

(Yonkers Raceway)