by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — It’s the penultimate performance of High Noon Friday at Yonkers Raceway, with a pair of $15,000 Open Handicaps prompting the parade.

First up is the Open ‘Cap Trot (seventh race), where last week’s winner, Approved Action (Rejean Daigneault), leaves outside of his five rivals. The seven-year-old homebred/statebred son of Sir Taurus, owned and trained by John Grasso, went the distance in his local return a week ago. For the season, Approved Action has a couple of wins (both here) in 13 tries ($73,800), bringing his career stash to more than $628,000.

Blastaway Sahbra (Stephane Bouchard, post four) took mucho dinero down with him last week, settling for second (to Approved Action) at 35 cents on the dollar. The six-year-old Striking Sahbra gelding, co-owned by Dean Davis and Brenda Sugg and trained by Mark Ford, has hit the board in all 18 local ’04 efforts (10 wins, seven seconds, one third).

Maximum Gain (Dan Dube, post five), AWOL a week ago, won this race two Fridays ago. The six-year-old Wall Street Banker gelding, co-owned by Brian Nixon and Aubrey Friedman and trained by Mary Bynon, enters with three victories in his last four tries, including the fastest local trot mile (1:57²) of the season.

Spat One (welcome back Jeff Gregory, post one) earned the final payday in last week’s featured trot, while Personal Finance (Mike Forte, post two) disposed of the winners over crowd a week ago.

Pure Adrenalin N (Jim Marohn, post three) defends the honor of the fairer sex as she steps out in search of a third ’04 victory.

Friday’s weekly Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace (eighth race) finds Casino Miss (Bouchard, post eight) enjoying all the trappings of an outside assignment. The four-year-old daughter of Cam’s Card Shark, co-owned by Davis (of Blastaway Sahbra fame) and James Snyder and trained by Ford (of Blastaway Sahbra and many others fame), has four wins and a dozen in the money finishes this season.

Lady Matawai N (Gregory, post seven) was a pocket second (to Ascending) a week ago, remaining a model of small-track consistency. The six-year-old Down Under daughter of Tupeka Knight, owned by James Kouretas and trained by Ross Croghan, has compiled 21 victories over the past two racing semesters.

Student Driver (Steve Smith, post four) makes her second start after more than two months on the shelf. The four-year-old Jate Lobell miss, trained by Bruce Saunders, won the $39,000 final of the Petticoat Pacing Series here in late March.

Get Over Lil (Jay Randall, post five) was a grinding victress versus the Preferred ‘Cap crowd two weeks ago, while Queen Caroline (Marcus Johansson, post one) makes her first local visit (and first trip away from East Rutherford) since her last start of last season.

Forever Blue N (Jim Marshall III, post two), Giggling Matti (Dube, post three) and Chip And Gale A (Marohn, post six) complete the ladies’ luncheon.

Friday’s evening simulcast schedule includes the Meadows (post time 4:00), Northfield (7:00), Raceway (7:00), Saratoga (7:00), Pompano (7:20), Buffalo (7:30) and Meadowlands (7:30).

Yonkers continues its Friday 12 Noon first post through next week (July 23). Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays remain at the usual 7:40 p.m. first post.

Afternoon simulcasting continues to be offered around the NYRA schedule, while the Raceway is open for Friday evening simulcasting after High Noon live cards.

July’s evening/harness simulcast schedule includes Balmoral Park, Buffalo Raceway, Hawthorne Racecourse, Hazel Park, Maywood Park, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Northfield Park, Penn National, Pocono Downs, Pompano Park, Raceway Park, Rockingham Park, Saratoga Raceway, Scioto Downs and Vernon Downs.

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