by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — Caitlin Q and Blastaway Sahbra, last week’s queen and king of Friday night, look for another round of royalty during this Friday night’s $15,000 co-featured Open Handicaps at Yonkers Raceway. Post time for the 10 race card is 7:40 p.m., with the evening’s couple of ‘Caps going as races seven (Filly and Mare Pace) and nine (Trot). Caitlin Q (Jim Marshall III, post three) wore the two hole tiara a week ago, her 12th victory in a 31 seasonal starts (career-best $55,761). The four-year-old daughter of Artsplace, owned by Robert Krol and trained by Mike Delano, has made money in her last 25 tries, dating to late February across the river. Stonebridge Kisses (Stephane Bouchard, post five) was second to Caitlin Q (as the 11-10 favorite) a week ago in her local debut. The four-year-old Artiscape ma’am, trained by Mark Ford for owner Martin Scharf, has hit the board in 12 of 19 ’04 efforts. Alison Bay N (Marcus Johansson, post two) steps out of the claiming ranks in search of a second consecutive victory, while Tasma Walton A (Greg Merton, post six) was a winner versus lesser two and three starts ago. Asian Express (Mark Beckwith, post one) and Get Over Lil (Jay Randall, post four) round out the sorority slumber party. Friday’s weekly featured trot finds Blastaway Sahbra (Bouchard, post eight) going after his 15th win of the season (12th in Westchester). The six-year-old Striking Sahbra gelding, co-owned by Dean Davis and Brenda Sugg and trained by Ford, snapped (AWOL this week) Approved Action on the money a week ago. “Blastaway” enters Friday with more than $152,000 on account this season and in excess of $578,000 for his stellar career. Sundance Kid G (Jim Meittinis, post seven) returns with a pair of central Jersey wins to his credit. The five-year-old King Pine gelding — by way of Germany — made his North American debut here last month, finishing third in a Preferred Handicap. Bodacious Storm (Jim Marohn, post two) whipped the high-conditioned crowd a week ago, while T W Rambo (Mike Forte, post six) surfaces after a week off with eyes toward his 10th ’04 victory. Cumin Go (Rejean Daigneault, post one), Total Mayhem (Jeff Gregory, post three), Onomatopoeia (Driver TBA, post four) and Blast Off (John Plutino, post five) complete the roster. Friday’s evening simulcast schedule includes the Meadows (post time 4:00), Bay Meadows (4:15), Santa Anita (5:30), Northfield (7:00), Saratoga (7:00), Pompano (7:20), Meadowlands (7:30) and Maywood (8:40). Yonkers’ current four night per week schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday) has a first post of 7:40 p.m. Afternoon simulcasting continues to be offered around the NYRA schedule. October’s evening/harness simulcast schedule includes Colonial Downs, Freehold Raceway, Harrington Raceway, Hazel Park, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Mountaineer Race Track, Northfield Park, Northville Downs, Penn National, Pocono Downs, Pompano Park, Raceway Park, and Saratoga Raceway. For more information, or to obtain a calendar, please contact the Raceway at (914) 968-4200.