by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Casino Miss, who sauntered her way to an easy victory in last week’s $15,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers Raceway, has those high-heeled horseshoes primed for Friday night’s co-feature. Post time for the nine race card is 7:40 p.m., with the weekly distaff derby going as the eighth race.

Casino Miss was assigned the eight hole, with Stephane Bouchard retaining the reins for co-owners Dean Davis and James Snyder and trainer Mark Ford. The four-year-old daughter of Cam’s Card Shark, who went over the $200,000 career earnings plateau with a second place finish in her previous work night, tries for her third ’04 victory in her 10th seasonal start.

Lady Matawai N (Jeff Gregory, post seven), on the sidelines last week, has three wins, a second and a third in her last five tries. The six-year-old Down Under daughter of Tupeka Knight, owned by James Kouretas and trained by Ross Croghan, has 17 wins in 41 tries dating to the beginning of last season.

Mariana’s Trench (Robert Sumner, post six), a pocket second to Casino Miss in last week’s sorority soiree, has been first or second in half of her eight ’04 work nights.

Southwind Sundew (Steve Smith, post four) invades from central Jersey with two wins and three seconds in her last five outings. The five-year-old Artsplace miss, trained by Bruce Saunders, makes her local debut.

Get Over Lil (Rick Farrington, post five) looks to rebound from a poor sixth a week ago. The five-year-old daughter of Walton Hanover had a win and a second in her previous three efforts.

Lady Jag (Rejean Daigneault, post one), Allamerican Raquel (Jim Marshall III, post two) and Magical Leah (Jim Meittinis, post three) complete the fairer-sex foray.

Friday’s co-featured $15,000 Open Handicap Trot (sixth race) finds Madison’s Tuition (Farrington, post five) going after a third consecutive victory. The seven-year-old Keystone Fool gelding, owned and trained by David Martin, has three wins and five board finishes among his eight ’04 tries.

Blastaway Sahbra (Bouchard, post six) was given the outside starting slot after finishing second in an East Rutherford Open a week ago. The six-year-old Striking Sahbra gelding, trained by Ford, is off to another solid season, with three wins (all here) and four seconds in nine ’04 tries.

Patio Pete (Gregory, post four) has also acquitted himself well across the river, winning an Open (18-1) before finishing third (behind Blastaway Sahbra) last week. The seven-year-old Overcomer gelding, owned and trained by Peter Kleinhans, returns to Westchester for his first visit since late August.

She’s A Blizzard (Taylor Gower, post one) was a very good second in last week’s featured trot. The five-year-old Malabar Man miss has been board-certified in her last half-dozen tries.

Mysterious Caller (Mike Forte, post two) and On Tour (Ray Schnittker, post three) round out the roster.

Friday’s card also includes five $8,000 divisions (races one, two, three, five and seven) in the opening round of the Petticoat Pacing Series for three and four-year-old fillies and mares.

The series, open to lasses who were non-winners of four races and/or $40,000 lifetime through last December 1, offers three preliminary legs leading to a $25,000 (est.) final on March 26.

The Sagamore Hill Pacing Series, companion series for the guys, begins with four divisions Saturday night.

Friday’s evening simulcast schedule includes the Meadows (post time 6:40), Northfield (7:00), Pompano (7:00), Saratoga (7:00), Penn National (7:20), Buffalo (7:30) and Meadowlands (7:30).

The Raceway’s Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday schedule remains in effect until further notice. First post remains at the usual 7:40 p.m. Afternoon simulcasting continues to be offered around the NYRA schedule.

March’s evening/harness simulcast schedule includes Balmoral Park, Buffalo Raceway, Freehold Raceway, Maywood Park, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Northfield Park, Northville Downs, Penn National, Pompano Park, Rosecroft Raceway, Sam Houston Race Park and Saratoga Raceway.

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