It was a home run for the sport of harness racing on Tuesday evening. Superstar driver Yannick Gingras has won many of the top races in his sport, but now he can cross off an honour in another sport - throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a professional baseball game.
Gingras was the honored guest Tuesday night as the Binghamton Mets took the field against the Trenton Thunder at NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton, N.Y.
Gingras walked to the pitcher’s mound and delivered an almost perfect strike, then watched as the future stars of the New York Mets took the field, wearing a replica version of Gingras’ recognizable green, yellow, and white driving colours.
After Tuesday night’s game, the special edition uniforms were autographed by the baseball players and will be auctioned off during live racing at Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon. All proceeds will benefit pancreatic cancer research, a cause which has personal significance to Gingras.
“I don’t normally get nervous before a big race, but I have to admit, I was a little nervous out there on the pitcher’s mound,” said Gingras, a Quebec, Canada native and self-proclaimed baseball novice. “But I’m so honoured to be part of this great event and really hope a lot of the baseball fans will come out to Tioga Downs and experience harness racing in person.”
On Sunday, fans at Tioga Downs will receive a replica version of Gingras’ racing colours for free while supplies last.
This promotion is part of a series of events leading up to the $200,000 Roll With Joe and $200,000 Artiscape, two of the premier races for pacers on Sunday, June 9.
Gingras will drive top contenders in both races, Sweet Lou in the Roll With Joe and Rocklamation in the Artiscape.
The first race on Sunday at Tioga Downs begins at 1:30 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)