Recess is just about over. Yonkers Raceway, dark since its June 2 stakes card, will return Friday night with a 12-race dossier.
Yonkers also returns with a nearly 20 per cent, across-the-board purse increase. The new purse structure ranges from $11,500 for non-winners of two pari-mutuel races on the pace and $12,500 claimers on both gaits to $44,000 for the weekly trio of Open Handicaps for trotters, pacers and distaff pacers.
During the down time, track superintendent Ed Ryan oversaw a resurfacing of the oval, along with extensive work (asphalt, painting and roof maintenance) in the paddock.
A look at the numbers shows a pair of Yonkers regulars sitting on milestones. Driver Mark MacDonald began this week 23 wins shy of 5,000 for his career, while trainer Mark Ford --- who recently eclipsed $50 million in career purses --- was at 2,999 wins through Sunday.
After the programs of Friday and Saturday, Yonkers will return to its usual five-night-per-week (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday) schedule beginning June 18. First post for all programs remains at 7:10 p.m.
Horsemen are advised that during the remainder of the hiatus, the entry box closes at 9 a.m. (for example, the box for this Saturday's card closes Tuesday at 9 a.m., instead of the usual 4:00 p.m. Scratches and changes are made by 10:00 a.m. the day after the draw).
The one exception is the card for Tuesday, June 19, which closes with changes this Friday at 10:00 p.m. Effective Friday, Yonkers will return to its regular draw schedule.
For more information, please contact the race office at 914-457-2627.
(Yonkers)