by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway took a break from High Noon Friday (June 4th), with a pair of added distance $15,000 Open Handicaps leading the charge of the under-the-lights brigade.

First up was the weekly trotting feature, where– news flash — Blastaway Sahbra won again. Forced to start outside of his seven rivals, Blastaway Sahbra — the 9-10 people’s choice — and chauffeur Stephane Bouchard neatly dropped in fourth.

On Tour (Ray Schniitker) was on the lead, the 3-1 second choice showing the way through ambitious fractions of :28² and :58 flat. The mare Pure Adrenalin N (Jay Randall) left into the pocket, with The Legend (Greg Merton) settling in third.

Much as he did a week ago, Blastaway Sahbra waited until the payoff portion of the race to make his move. He eased out of fourth going by the 1:27⁴ three-quarters, though On Tour owned a length and a quarter lead turning for home.

On Tour liked the fanfare so much, he was in no mood to give it up. However, Blastaway Sahbra is too tough over this terrain, and stuck his tongue out when it counted to prevail by a head. The mile and one-sixteenth went in 2:06¹ for “Blastaway’s” fifth consecutive victory and fourth in a row here. Blast Off (John Plutino), making his first local appearance since winning the $42,200 final of the Bonus Trot Series in late April, closed from seventh to grab third, beaten two and a half lengths. Great Thunder (Rejean Daigneault) and Pure Adrenalin N completed the cashers.

Blastaway Sahbra, a six-year-old Striking Sahbra, is batting a tidy .500 this season, with 11 wins in 22 tries ($113,943). He remains the most consistent commodity in the county, with nine wins, four seconds and a third in 15 ’04 Westchester tries.

“Blastaway,” trained by Mark Ford for Buckeye co-owners Dean Davis and Brenda Sugg, returned $3.90. He led a $6.70 exacta and $38 triple.

Friday’s $15,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace saw the returning Lady Matawai N take matters into her own hooves early.

Like Blastaway Sahbra, Ms. Matawai was sentenced to life from the eight hole. She, aided and abetted by Jeff Gregory, left alertly, and looked to drop in behind Casino Miss (Bouchard). However, Chip And Gale A (Jim Marohn) paced just enough to keep the two hole closed, forcing Lady Matawai N to drive on.

She made the lead after a :27² opening quarter-mile, then rated a :58¹ half and 1:27² third quarter. Forever Blue N (Jim Marshall III) tried her fortunes first-over, carting in slight 2-1 favorite Time Flies N (Merton) into contention.

Lady Matawai N took a length and a half advantage into the lane, then held off the pylon-skimming Chip And Gale A to win by a half length in 2:03 for the mile and one-sixteenth. Casino Miss, empty off the perfect trip, settled for third, beaten three-parts of a length, while Times Flies N and Forever Blue N also made money.

Lady Matawai N, a six-year-old Down Under daughter of Tupeka Knight, is owned by James Kouretas and trained by Ross Croghan. She returned $10.20 while matching “Blastaway’s” .500 ’04 batting average (7-for-14). The exacta paid $89, while the triple was worth $273. It was the third consecutive local victory for Ms. Matawai, who was back here for her first visit since early April.

This coming week offers all six claiming class finals in the “Stretch The Stretch” pacing series.

Monday: $5,000 claimers ($14,050 purse, sixth race); $7,500 claimers ($17,325 purse, ninth race); $10,000 claimers ($23,700 purse, seventh race).

Friday: $15,000 claimers ($28,900 purse); $20,000 claimers ($32,400 purse); $25,000 claimers ($39,750 purse).

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

Afternoon simulcasting continues to be offered around the NYRA schedule, and the Raceway is open for Friday evening simulcasting. Simulcasting of Saturday’s 136th Belmont Stakes is available, with gates opening at 11:00 a.m. for Belmont’s 12 Noon first post.