Yonkers Raceway Drivers Arrive in Paris for Drivers Cup Challenge vs. France

Yonkers Raceway’s five premier drivers have arrived in France in fine fettle, and it’s all systems go for the second leg of the inaugural Yonkers vs. France Drivers’ Cup Challenge. Points-leader Jordan Stratton spearheads the U.S.A. flag-carriers as they try to say “au revoir” to their French counterparts at Hippodrome de Vincennes in Paris for tomorrow’s (Friday, June 24) and Sunday’s (June 26) battle.

The first leg saw Stratton win both Yonkers’ races on March 20, one in a dead-heat with Yonkers captain Jason Bartlett. The locals won the opening round, 85 points to 47 (points awarded as 17/12/9/7/6/5/4/3/2/1, with five given in the event of a scratch).

In addition to Bartlett and Stratton, Tyler Buter, Dan Dube and Pat Lachance are representing Empire City against the potent French quintet of Pierre Vercruysse (captain), Matthieu Abrivard, Nicolas Ensch, Pierre Levesque and Franck Ouvrie.

The Yonkers sulky stars had the luck of the draw with four of the first six inside posts on Friday. It’s the sixth race at Vincennes, contested at 2,100 meters (1 5/16 miles), with approximate post time at 10:03 PM local time (4:03 PM/ ET). The purse is 36,000 Euros (approx. 50,000 U-S dollars). Here’s the field for Friday in post-position order with drivers in parenthesis: 1. Azaro du Caux (Jason Bartlett); 2. Bambou de Calvi (Nicolas Ensch); 3. Bois Le Roi (Tyler Buter); 4. Bettina D’Avril (Pierre Vercruysse); 5. Bettina (Jordan Stratton); 6. Attention Devant – (Dan Dube); 7. Alibi De Folie (Pierre Levesque); 8. Amadeo (Pat Lachance); 9. Bolide Du Guet (Matthieu Abrivard); 10. Be Love Desbois (Franck Ouvrie).

“I’ve driven at Vincennes before (in the World Driving Championship), and the track is great, “Bartlett said. “It’s an honor to represent both Yonkers and the U.S.”

As for Stratton, he’s keeping his eyes on the prize. “I have to make sure to bring a suitcase big enough to carry home the trophy,” he said.

Recap of Opening Leg

The two-nation competition began on s historic half mile in a pair of 1 ¼ mile trotting races which were simulcast to the French-hubbed audience.

In the first or two divisions raced at 1 ¼ miles with 10 starters, Stratton, driving 23-1 longshot Lily’s Swan Pond, stormed down the stretch to finish in a dead heat for the win with his Yonkers mate Bartlett, handling the even money favorite Hasty Profitt. HeadsAreGonna Turn, with Tyler Buter in the bike, was just a neck back in third, giving the Yonkers contingent a sweep of the first three spots in the competition. The race was timed in 2:31:2.

In the second division, Stratton gave the French a “kiss it goodbye” drive soaring to a seven and a quarter length win behind Cousin Eddie ($7.40). Appropriately named Paris Princess N, with Frenchman Pierre Levesque in the sulky, was second. “Eddie,” winning his sixth Race in eight starts this season, stopped the clock in 2:29:4. Massive Talent with Yonkers’ Dan Dube driving was third.