by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — It was an unlucky Friday the (August) 13th at Yonkers Raceway, with an accident marring the seventh race on the nine dash dossier.

As the distaff pacers were turning for home in the $7,000 event, pace-setter Magical Leah (Jim Meittinis) made a wild break. That scattered virtually the entire backfield, unseating the drivers of Giggling Matti (Stephane Bouchard), Alison Bay N (Jim Marohn) and Stylish Sakra (Greg Merton).

While Marohn and Merton were treated on scene — though off their remaining assignments — Bouchard was taken to nearby Lawrence (Bronxville, New York) Hospital. He was treated for an injured left knee (x-rays negative) and released early Saturday morning.

The 37-year-old Bouchard, a native of Montreal, entered Friday having won 340 winners (he added two Friday night), good for seventh in the North American dash standings. His $2.28 million in purses ranked 21st in that category.

“I’m pretty sore,” Bouchard said from the emergency room. “I don’t know whether I am going to drive (Saturday), but I’m leaning toward taking the day off because I have stake races Sunday at Syracuse.”

The “spill” race was won by Ifuwantitcumngetit (Jay Randall) at a $21.60 mutuel.

Friday’s featured $15,000 Open Handicap Trot went to a first-over Bodacious Storm and catch-driver Meittinis. The four-year-old statebred Mogul Monster gelding went up and over Zorgwijk Bedeviled (Randall) in early stretch, then strode out by four and a half lengths in 2:01¹. The latter had led the way through fractions of :29, 1:00 and 1:30². The Legend (catch-driver Steve Brown) closed for second, with Zorgwijk Bedeviled saving the bottom of the ticket. TW Rambo (Mike Forte) and Bama Bound (catch-driver Mike Sorentino, Jr.) wound up in a dead heat for fourth.

Dismissed at 15-1, Bodacious Storm returned $32.80 for his fourth victory in 25 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $217.50, with the triple worth $1,248.

Rich Campolong trained the winner for owner Michael Funke.

Yonkers currently offers a four night a week live racing schedule, with first post every Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 7:40 p.m. Afternoon simulcasting continues around the NYRA schedule.