by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Friday’s (July 9) High Noon Happiness at Yonkers Raceway was a day for the “A”.

Actually, the $15,000 Open Trot was a day for the “Double-A,” as veteran statebred Approved Action took it to the house.

Leaving from post position number five in the straight-draw octet, Approved Action and driver Rejean Daigneault quickly found the throttle. The pair stepped around pylon-sitter — and 3-10 favorite — Blastaway Sahbra (Stephane Bouchard) before a :28⁴ opening quarter mile.

With the people’s choice electing to patrol the pocket, Approved Action, in his first local try since early May, rated a :59³ half and 1:28⁴ third quarter. All the while, there was minimal outer-tier pressure from Jetset Matt (Lou Paulucci), who could not sustain a second move. That forced Pocono invader Trapper’s Salute A (Dan Dube) wide early, but with too much acreage to amble.

Turning for home, Approved Action had a length and a half to play with before Blastaway Sahbra dove to the passing lane. However, the pacesetter held sway, prevailing by a measured neck in 1:58². Trapper’s Salute A was able to get into third, with Priceless Gem (Ray Schnittker) and Spat One (Jay Randall) completing the cashers.

Approved Action, a seven-year-old homebred son of Sir Taurus, returned $10.40 as the second choice. The homebred, owned and trained by John Grasso, led a $32 exacta and $56.50 triple. The victory, his second in 13 seasonal starts (first flat-mile win), pushed the career cash count to $628,176.

The “A’s” had it once again in Friday’s $15,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace. Ascending and chauffeur Patrick Lachance never had an anxious moment in the weekly distaff derby.

Leaving alertly from her assigned post number six, the 11-10 wagering choice secured the big chair before a :27³ opening two furlongs. Lady Matawai N (Randall) also was away in good order, overcoming her given eight hole to drop in second.

Ascending rated a :30 next panel, then threw out a :28⁴ third quarter to keep the potential prowlers at bay. She maintained a length and a half advantage in and out of the final turn before getting home two lengths to the good in 1:56¹. Lady Matawai N was strictly second, with House Flight (Bouchard) grabbing third. Southwind Sundew (Tyler Stillings) and Chip And Gale A (Jim Marohn) also made some daylight dollars.

Ascending, a four-year-old daughter of Camluck, was trained by Robert Horowitz for Blue Chip Partners. She returned $4.20 for her eighth win in 21 ’04 tries, with the exacta paying $22.60 and the triple worth $83.50.

Yonkers continues its Friday 12 Noon first post for two more weeks, through July 23. Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays remain at the usual 7:40 p.m. first post.

Afternoon simulcasting is offered around the NYRA schedule, and the Raceway is open for Friday evening simulcasting.