Kris's Legacy (Mike Sorrentino, Jr.) win $14,500 trot at Yonkers Thursday. Mike Lizzi, Photo.
YONKERS, NY, Thursday, July 2, 2009 -- The start of Yonkers Raceway's summer meet Thursday night brought with it an all-too-rare sight of late...driver Mike Sorentino Jr. in the winner's circle.
Sorentino and 12-1 Kris's Legacy ($26.60) teamed for a decisive, 4 1/4-length win in the $14,500 second-race trot. The pair sat second-over behind a wicked speed duel and took full advantage, busting the race wide open past the three-quarters and winning as they pleased in 1:58.3.
That effort matched the career best for the 5-year-old daughter of Ilooklikemymon, trained by Sorentino for his father. It was also the lady's first victory in 15 seasonal starts after a five-win, nearly-$55,000 season in 2008.
Sorentino has been "just" a trainer while battling recurring back problems. It was his first driving victory since Dec. 4, 2007, when he guided Ain't No Stoppin' Us--another horse he trained--to a handy victory in a claiming pace here. He had made only one driving start in both 2008 and '09 prior to Thursday night's win.
"The back has been feeling better, so I figured I'd drive a bit during the summer," Sorentino said.
"Everything worked out perfectly tonight. We claimed this mare (in April of) last year, and she became very sick…colic. I thought she raced well last week, but the mile (1:57.4) was just too fast for her. She made it look easy tonight, and winning always feels better than losing.:
Despite the impressive performance, Sorentino stopped short of soliciting his services for nightly catch-driving duties.
The affable 46-year-old Sorentino, a resident of nearby Bronxville, has more than 1,600 wins and $9.5 million in a driving career which began in 1980. He strung together consecutive million-dollar purse seasons in 1999-2000.
Yonkers' regular five-night-per-week schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday...including July 4th) remains in effect. First post for all racing programs is 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.
BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
