On October 19 at Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway, the Fifth Annual Fall Harvest Festival highlighted the thriving relationship between agriculture and horse racing throughout New York State. A host of fun, family-friendly events adorned the raceway apron, while the annual Legislators’ Challenge featured 10 of the state’s elected officials in non-wagering—but ultra-competitive—battle.
Assembly Member Andrew Garbarino (R-Suffolk) won the “rookie” division with Cockney Hanover in a first-up 2:11.4. Holland was also there, offering minimal assistance.
Assembly Member Keith Wright (D-Harlem) crossed winning a Legislators’ Challenge off his bucket list, teaming with Strong Signal (and, to a lesser extent, Jason Bartlett) to win the “veterans” division from the pocket in 2:11.3.
Assembly Member Shelley Mayer (D-Yonkers), a winner a year, joined with Kandi Chip (and Bartlett) to whip a pair of other previous winners–Assembly Member Joe Saladino (R-Massapequa) and Assembly Member Gary Pretlow (D-Mt. Vernon) in a night’s-fastest 2:09.4.
There was also a Racing Under Saddle exhibition, with John-Michael and Mary Dolce Conti giving nothing else a chance. The pair teamed to win the mile-and-one-sixteenth event by 9¼ lengths in 2:15.
The Raceway’s five-night-per-week live schedule continues, with first post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.