Live harness racing returns to Yonkers

YONKERS, N.Y. – Live harness racing will return to Yonkers Raceway Monday, June 22 with 64 trotters and pacers set to compete on an eight-race program beginning at 7:05 p.m. Monday’s card marks the first race day at the half-mile oval since the effects of COVID-19 halted the 2020 season on March 9.

Yonkers successfully conducted qualifiers last Monday (June 15) in preparation for reopening. In accordance with guidelines issued by the New York State Gaming Commission, health and safety protocols are in place for racing’s return. These include capacity limitations and distancing measures, temperature checks and health screenings, installation of no-touch fixtures and disinfectant stations, equipment usage and cleaning protocols, mandatory use of face masks, and hand sanitizer stations throughout the racing area. 

Monday’s program will be the first of three this week and features the return of Hysteria, a 4-year-old Shadow Play gelding trained by Jenn Bongiorno, who brings an eight-race win streak dating to June 22, 2019 into the sixth race, a $13,500 conditioned pace. Tuesday’s card will feature the Filly and Mare Open Pace while Thursday’s program co-features the Open Pace and Open Trot, each carrying a purse of $33,000.

Although the track remains closed to bettors and fans, punters can watch and wager on the action at EmpireCityBets.com, which offers an 8% rebate on all wagers placed on Yonkers’ races (except place and show). The betting menu has been adjusted as follows for the eight-race format:

• Early Pick 4 beginning in race one

• Pick 5 beginning in race four

• Late Pick 4 beginning in race five

• Pick 3s beginning in races two, three, and six

• Doubles beginning in races one and seven

• Superfectas offered on even-numbered races

• Win, place, show, exacta, and trifecta on all races

Free TrackMaster platinum past performances are available for Monday’s entire card on the Yonkers Raceway website.

Stakes season will resume at the Hilltop with the first leg of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies July 2. Sire Stakes will continue throughout July and August with Yonkers Raceway set to host the New York Sire Stakes Finals Sept. 12. Additional announcements regarding the stakes schedule will be made when available. 

The amended Yonkers Raceway calendar will see live harness racing conducted Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights until July 2. Beginning the week of July 6, the schedule will add Friday nights. Saturday night racing will resume the week of July 20 as the track returns to its normal five night per week schedule through Dec. 19, apart from dark days Friday, Sept. 11 and Thursday, Nov. 26. First post time is 7:05 p.m. The complete revised racing calendar is available online here.