Yonkers: Bartlett, Banca top horsemen for 2017

The B’s had it in Westchester 2017, with Jason Bartlett and Richard Banca winning Yonkers Raceway’s driver and trainer titles, respectively.

The 235-program season (three postponements), which concluded this past Sunday (Dec. 17), saw Bartlett roll along to a seventh local title.

The 36-year-old Bartlett, originally from Augusta, ME, was both the winningest (542) and busiest (2,635) driver, winning at a 22.9-percent clip. His $10.4 million in purses also led the list.

Jordan Stratton ascended to second with 378 wins and $8.3 million in purses, with the top five win list completed by George Brennan (327), Brent Holland (214) and Dan Dube (182).

Banca, a 42-year-old native of Paterson, NJ, sent out 187 winners, 36 more than last season’s leading trainer, Rene Allard. Banca also led with 986 starters (19-percent win rate) and purses ($4.01 million). Scott DiDomenico (117 wins), Ron Burke (109) and Gilberto Garcia-Herrera (87) completed the first quintet among wins.

The Raceway’s 2018 season is set to begin with a Sunday (Jan. 7) matinee (post time TBA).

-edited release (Frank Drucker for Yonkers)