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Some insights into tonight’s racing program for our IdaBet players, beginning final weekend of season.

1^ST RACE – (5) TOWNSLIGHT HANOVER was a local track record-holder as a frosh many moons ago. One win each of last two seasons and bottom claimer.

4^TH RACE – (1) DECLARATION OF WAR seems to be more a competent sort when he knows he’s for sale. Is so again here, and winning draw won’t hurt.

5^TH RACE – (1) BRALEY HANOVER is officially on notice, disappointing us constantly since hitting town. Once more shot from pole before we pay no mind.

6^TH RACE – (6) JUSTICE MY WAY has worked for this missive more than once. Chased home handy winner in much-improved effort, not exactly consistent.

7^TH RACE – (5) SASSA HANOVER has had misfortune of going up against resurgent ma’am in last couple. Millionairess not lass she was, but can work here.

10^TH RACE – (2) BROWN BRINNY continues to draw well and continues to get gazed. She’s never a surprise with half a trip at this level, wouldn’t be here.

12^TH RACE – (4) LAKEISHA HALL offered some late, 50-1 pace last week in distaff derby. Leaves adults, but this high-condition finale came up quite tough.

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$2 +/- (thru Tue., Dec. 12) – 322 wins [inc. 2 dead-heats] ($2,404.50)

from 1,473 ($2,946) selex (-$541.50, making the parents proud)

highest-priced winner – GYPSY LEATHER ($57.50)

lowest-priced winner – GREAT VINTAGE/FUNKNWAFFLES ($2.20 each)

BY FRANK DRUCKER,

Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

Thank you for choosing IdaBet.com!

 Two names that might not be familiar to Meadowlands regulars will be appearing in the program more and more during the winter months, and Mitchell Cushing and Austin Siegelman are prepared to do what it takes to make it on the sizable Big M stage.

The first of these two youngsters is 19-year-old Cushing, who was actually contacted while making his way from his Albion, Maine home to the Meadowlands Thursday night.

“I’m on my way there now,” said Cushing, who graduated high school in June of 2016. “It’s about six hours to get there. It’ll be my second time driving at the Meadowlands. Last week, I drove one horse.”

Six hours in the car for one drive. Why?

“For the love of the sport,” said Cushing, who has been driving regularly for a year and a half in Maine and Massachusetts. “It’s always been a childhood dream to drive at the Meadowlands.”

It may not be a six-hour trip, but when Pocono Downs races, Siegelman drives four days a week from Pocono to Monticello and back. On days such as Thursday, once Monti is done, it’s 90 minutes one way to the Big M.

Siegelman has been driving full-time for about four years. His father James has horses at Pocono that Austin drives, but with Pocono dark for the winter, the 25-year-old is taking another...