by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — The final August Friday night (27th) at Yonkers Raceway offered the usual fare of two $15,000 Open Handicaps, carded the mile and one-sixteenth distance for your dining and dancing pleasure.

In the grand tradition of “Ladies First,” the weekly distaff derby led off. House Flight (Stephane Bouchard), in her first local try in three weeks (she’d been to central Jersey, Delaware and Monticello since), made the lead from her assigned six hole.

She took over before a :28 opening quarter mile, with Peyton B Sweet (Mark Beckwith) pocketed. Last week’s victress (and this week’s 3-2 favorite) Lady Matawai N (Greg Merton) was content to trail after being ordered to the outside in the field of seven.

House Flight led the lasses through a :58 half and 1:27 three-quarters. All the while, Get Over Lil (Jay Randall) was moving uncovered from fourth and making unwanted advances toward the leader. House Flight maintained a length and a half lead into the lane, but “Lil” was determined.

The latter collared the former in mid-stretch, then edged away to win by a half length. “Lil” negotiated her added distance in 2:03². Lady Matawai N, who gapped the cover of the winner, settled for third, while Emerald Green (Marcus Johansson) and Peyton B Sweet completed the cashers.

Get Over Lil, a five-year-old daughter of Walton Hanover, paid $6.20 — the second choice — for her fifth victory in 26 seasonal starts. Sonny Dancer trained the winner for co-owners Lawrence Kovacs and Linda Condon. “Lil” led a $23.40 exacta and $32 triple.

Friday night’s co-featured Open ‘Cap Trot saw Approved Action (Rejean Daigneault) given the eight hole despite three weeks off. Sent off as the 8-5 people’s choice, he did not fire at all, finishing last.

However, another 21-days-out commodity, Jetset Matt (Lou Paulucci), was more than ready. Leaving alertly from post five, he stalked last week’s winner, T W Rambo (Mike Forte). That one, given the seven hole, put up fractions of :28³, :59² and 1:29².

“Rambo” owned a length and a half lead turning for home, but Jetset Matt closed inside. That one grinded by, getting home by three-quarters of a length in 2:05⁴. Bodacious Storm (Jim Meittinis), Danzig (Bouchard) and Zorgwijk Bedeviled (Merton) also made money.

Jetset Matt, a five-year-old Earl gelding owned by Theodore Collas and trained by Carl Tirella, returned $15.20 for his seventh victory in 24 ’04 tries. The exacta paid $68.50, while the triple was worth $551.

Friday’s card also includes five divisions (three colts/geldings, two fillies) of the $41,200 Royal Prestige Trot, a New York Bred Late Closer for three-year-olds.

The winners were:

• Avictoryforlonging,g, (by Majestic Victory); co-owners Joel Kravet and Adlele Prince/trainer Jim Ray/driver Bouchard; 2:03²/$2.70.
• Zimbabwe,f, (by KT’s Big Guy); co-owners Nancy Kipp and Shawn Okusko/trainer-driver William Okusko; 2:05²/$5.60.
• Ackbro Lucas,g, (by Giant Hit); co-owners Daniel and Steven Ackernecht/trainer John Mongeon, Jr./driver Johansson; 2:03/$7.80.
• Alpine Action,f, (by Giant Hit); owner Ed Gilligan/trainer John Staskowski/driver Bouchard; 2:05/$2.90.
• Scores Big,c, (by Giant Hit); co-owners Martin, White, Kristie Leigh Farm/trainer Ed Hart/driver Beckwith; 2:04/$6.50.