by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Thirteen 3-year-old fillies have declared their intentions for the 2008 edition of Yonkers Raceway’s Lismore Pace. The race — companion event to the Art Rooney Pace — offers a pair of $20,000 elimination races this Friday night, June 27, with the first four finishers in each getting all dolled up for the $325,230 final.

The final of the Lismore is scheduled for Saturday night, July 5, as is the final of the Rooney. Friday night’s pair of elims go as races six and eight on the 13-race card (first post 7:40 p.m.).

The fields, with declared drivers: First elimination (sixth race) — 1-Madam Countess (Jim Morrill, Jr.); 2-Hannah Isabel (Jim Marohn, Jr.); 3-Ideal Newton (Ron Pierce); 4-Thong (Tim Tetrick); 5-Good News Lady (Andy Miller); and 6-Loving Caroline (Pat Berry).

Madam Countess is a perfect seven-for-seven ($169,594) this season; Ideal Newton won the $250,792 final of the Jim Lynch at Pocono; and Thong won the $73,500 consolation of Mohawk’s Fan Hanover.

Second elimination (eighth race) — 1-JK Majorette (Stephane Bouchard); 2-Cheyenne Trish (Miller); 3-Ladycino (Cat Manzi); 4-Riverbank Hanover (Sam Schillaci); 5-See And Be Seen (Jeff Gregory); 6-Chocolate Art (Pierce); and 7-She’s So Hot (Dave Magee).

She’s So Hot won the $100,000 final of the Maywood Pace — good enough to bring Magee in for a very rare visit — while “Trish” has earned more than $96,000 this season.

Post positions for Saturday night’s $605,854 final of the Yonkers Trot and the $324,694 final of the Hudson Filly Trot shall be drawn at a Tuesday afternoon press conference at the Raceway. The entry box for the ’08 edition of the Rooney closes later Tuesday afternoon.

Fans attending Saturday’s stakes finals get a complimentary T-shirt (while supplies last). The T-shirt features both the Empire City and Yonkers Raceway logos.

Yonkers’ five-night-per-week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday — all at 7:40 p.m. — and Saturday — 6:50 p.m.) schedule remains in effect. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.

Please be advised that beginning the week of Monday, June 30, and continuing through the week of Monday, Oct. 27, Yonkers is adding Wednesday nights (first post 7:40 p.m.) to its live schedule.