by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — It’s Friday at Yonkers Raceway, and you know the drill: First post: High Noon; Number of races: 9; Number of $15,000 Open Handicaps: 2 (Trot, Filly and Mare Pace).

Leading off the holiday weekend hi-jinx is the distaff derby (sixth race), where last week’s victress, Ascending, leaves from post position six. The four-year-old daughter of Camluck was able to avoid the pitfalls (two breakers who wiped out two others) that befell her main rivals a week ago, prevailing by a head. Patrick Lachance again drives for Blue Chip Partners and trainer Robert Horowitz. Ascending, with three wins in her last five efforts, tries for her eighth seasonal victory. She enters with career earnings of more than $398,000.

Casino Miss (Stephane Bouchard, post four) almost went the distance (at nearly 27-1) a week ago, but just failed to stave off Ascending. The four-year-old daughter of Cam’s Card Shark, co-owned by Dean Davis and James Snyder and trained by Mark Ford, whipped the Preferred ‘Cap crowd two starts ago.

Tasma Walton A (Dan Dube, post five) and Lady Matawai N (Jeff Gregory, post seven) were both run off their feet last week, the former losing all chance at a sixth consecutive victory.

Reformed claimer Stylish Sakra (Steve Brown, post three) earns a trip up the ladder after a two hole win versus the Preferred Handicap, her eighth victory (and 16th board finish) in 21 seasonal starts.

Forever Blue N (Jim Marshall III, post one) was fourth in last week’s ladies luncheon, while Student Driver (Steve Smith, post two) makes her first pari-mutuel start since late April and her first local try since winning the $39,000 final of the Petticoat Pacing Series in late March.

Friday’s Open ‘Cap Trot (ninth race) is led by the season’s fastest local trotter, Maximum Gain (Dube, post five). The six-year-old Wall Street Banker gelding, co-owned by Brian Nixon and Aubrey Friedman and trained by Mary Bynon, won a winners over in 1:57² two weeks ago before misbehaving at the start of last week’s Open Handicap. He recovered to challenge first-over before fading to fourth.

H F’s Gal (Robert Petitto, post four) and Texas Lavec (Smith, post seven) handled their respective Preferred posses last week, earning invites to the grown-ups table. The former, an eight-year-old daughter of Cumin owned and trained by Petitto, tries for a fifth ’04 victory, while the latter, a seven-year-old Mr Lavec gelding, has hit the board in eight of his 13 seasonal soirees.

Getinthephoto (Tyler Stillings, post two) has a pair of wins and a pair of thirds in four tries since returning south of the border, while Writteninthestars (Bouchard, post six) makes his second start after a six-week hiatus.

Cumin Go (Rejean Daigneault, post one) and Blast Off (John Plutino, post three) complete the collection.

Friday’s evening simulcast schedule includes the Meadows (post time 4:00), Vernon (6:30), Northfield (7:00), Raceway (7:00), Pompano (7:20), Buffalo (7:30) and Meadowlands (7:30).

Yonkers continues its Friday 12 Noon first post through 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, Evangeline Downs, Hawthorne Racecourse, Hazel Park, Maywood Park, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Northfield Park, Penn National, Pocono Downs, Pompano Park, Raceway Park, Rockingham Park, Rosecroft Raceway, Saratoga Raceway, Scioto Downs and Vernon Downs.

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