by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Blastaway Sahbra, the scourge of the local Open Handicap Trot scene for much of 2004, makes his first Westchester appearance of the season in Friday night’s $15,000 co-feature at Yonkers Raceway.

Post time for the 11 race card is 7:40 p.m., with the week’s marquee trot going as the 10th race.

Blastaway Sahbra was ordered outside of his seven rivals, reuinited with Stephane Bouchard for co-owners Dean Davis and Brenda Sugg and trainer Mark Ford. The seven-year-old Striking Sahbra gelding won 17 of his 47 starts ($194,933) a year ago, with 14 of the victories coming over this very venue. “Blastaway” returns from a two week visit to Woodbine, including a sixth place finish in a leg of the Horsemen’s Series.

Speed Of Shogun (Jim Meittinis, post seven), a perfect three-for-three in his brief North American career, earns a ticket to the featured trot. The nine-year-old German-bred Shogun Lobell gelding, trained by Don Sider for Jesmeral Stable, overcame the second tier in a high-conditioned event a week ago.

Toibin N (Greg Merton, post two) was a 17-1 upset winner in last week’s Open Handicap, taking advantage of an inside assignment. The 10-year-old Down Under Straphanger gelding, co-owned by Brian Nixon and Aubrey Friedman and trained by Mary Bynon, has hit the board in his last four appearances.

Riverofglory (Jeff Gregory, post six), who beat the boys in the final local ’04 Open Handicap event, makes her seasonal debut. The eight-year-old King Conch miss, trained by Cindy Milano for owner Richard Hallahan, ended last season with 14 victories, including four wins in her last half-dozen efforts.

Duke Of Earl (Driver TBA, post three) was third in last week’s Open ‘Cap, while Cobrador Kosmos (Mike Forte, post one) has two wins and a second in three tries since returning from a six-month hiatus.

Tagapine (Jim Marshall III, post four) and On Tour (Ray Schnittker, post five) round out the featured trot, the latter making his first visit since early October.

Friday night’s co-featured Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace (seventh race) finds defending champ Sandra G (Mark Beckwith, post six) starting outside her five foes. The five-year-old daughter of Yankee Cam, trained by Lance Hudson for co-owners Fred and Anita Fialkow, has won half of her six local tries since hitting town.

Get Over Lil (Jay Randall, post four) and Chip And Gale A (Jim Marohn, post one) finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in last week’s distaff derby, the former moving belatedly in her first local try since early November.

Friday’s evening simulcast schedule includes the Meadows (post time 6:00), Northfield (7:00), Charles Town (7:15), Penn National (7:20), Pompano (7:20), Meadowlands (7:30) and Maywood (8:40).

The Raceway is accepting nominations for the 2005 Hopeful Pacing Series for three-year-olds of both genders. Nominations close on Saturday, January 15, with the series beginning on January 28 (fillies) and 29 (colts and geldings). Nomination forms are available on-line at www.yonkersraceway.com. Complete conditions and information on the series (which includes a $2,000 bonus awarded by the Standardbred Owners Association of New York) are available by calling the race office at (914) 968-4200, ext. 285.

January’s evening/harness simulcast schedule includes Charles Town Races, Freehold Raceway, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Mountaineer Race Track, Northfield Park, Northville Downs, Penn National, Pompano Park, Rosecroft Raceway and Sam Houston Race Park.

For more information, or to obtain a calendar, please contact the Raceway at (914) 968-4200.