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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night $33,000 Open Handicaps were won by favored Ideal In Vegas (catch-driver Jason Bartlett, $4.20) and DW’s NY Yank (George Brennan, $9.50).

Ideal In Vegas was a 1:55.4 winner in the Mares Open Pace.

The murky distaff derby for pacers was pared to a half-dozen when the bookenders — inside Sweet Hedge and outside Cocoa Beach — both came up ill. Then Ginger Spice N (Eric Goodell), who inherited the pole, jumped it off at the outset.

The remaining quintet were led by even-money Ideal In Vegas. From what became post position No. 3, she two-moved around Palm Patrol (Larry Stalbaum), then never had an anxious moment.

Sub-stations of :28,2, :58.2 and 1:27.1 led to a length victory in 1:55.4. Magic Starlight (Brennan) skimmed the cones for second, with Economy Terror (Mark MacDonald), Palm Patrol and Rockaround Sue (Jordan Stratton) rounding out the payees.

For Ideal In Vegas, a 5-year-old daughter of Western Ideal owned by Shore Thing Stables and trained by Anthony Mannino, her 2014 debut was her 19th career victory. The exacta paid $17.20, with the triple returning $37.80.

Mayra Escamilla photos

DW’s NY Yank (#8) was a narrow winner in the Open Trot.

The week’s marquee trot was a two-speed number, as DW’s NY Yank, ordered behind the eight-ball, took over from Likeabatoutahell (Sears) before the a :28.2 opening quarter-mile. A 1:00.4 middle half (:59.2, 1:29.1) and no outer flow gave him a 2-1/2 length lead into the lane.

Likeabatoutahell took his shot diving inside, but missed by a head in 1:58.1. Zooming (Tyler Buter) rallied for a non-threatening third as the slight 3-1 choice, while War Cry Hall (Bartlett) and Lorenzo Dream (Goodell) completed the cashers. Super Manning (Matt Kakaley) broke early as the second choice.

Fourth choice DW’s NY Yank, a 5-year-old Dilbert Hanover gelding co-owned (as Burke Racing) by trainer Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and Howard Taylor, went right past $300,000 in career earnings with this ’14 first-out victory. The exacta (two wagering favorites) paid $38.20, the triple returned $171 and the superfecta paid $575.

The Raceway’s five-night-per-week live schedule continues, with first post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 p.m. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available daily.